playNolley’s 3-pointer puts Michigan State comeback out of reach (0:17)Landers Nolley II drains a heavily contested 3-pointer to give the Hokies a secure lead over the Spartans. (0:17)Michigan State coach Tom Izzo took ownership for the third-ranked Spartans’ five-point upset loss in the Maui Invitational.”I publicly want to apologize to maybe the greatest fan group that was here,” Izzo said after Monday’s loss in Hawai’i. “I feel like I let them down, and it’s been an interesting couple of weeks and we just weren’t as sharp today.”Michigan State lost 71-66 to unranked Virginia Tech to fall to 3-2 on the season.”Well, I’ve said this for 20 years. Upsets happen,” Izzo said. “And that’s no insult to them, but it is an upset. Upsets happen.”Consensus preseason All-America selection Cassius Winston was in early foul trouble and held to seven points on 2-of-8 shooting.Izzo was protective of Winston after the game. The senior’s younger brother died earlier this month.”I would like all the people in Hawai’i and everybody else to see, [Winston] was a shell of himself today,” Izzo said. “I think it’s been a lot on him. I told you that. No excuses for me. I did the poor job. But I couldn’t do what that kid has done, no way. And he just looked tired the whole time. I think [it’s] the mental stress that he’s going through.”Michigan State next plays Tuesday against Georgia (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Izzo apologizes for Michigan State’s upset loss
