Izzo Explains Strategy in Loss to UConn

Questions remain after the disappointing Spartans' loss to UConn on Sunday on what Coach Tom Izzo was thinking playing an injured player while leaving a healthy one on the bench.

Mlive.com is reporting that Izzo is now explaining what went into the decision-making of playing Keith Appling 28 minutes in the game when he obviously wasn't up to speed.  Appling had been dealing with a lingering wrist injury since a fall against North Carolina back in December.

Some believe if Izzo had replaced Appling with Travis Trice once he started to fade, the Spartans would have had a better chance to win and advance to the Final Four in Texas.

This is the first time under Coach Izzo that seniors didn't make it to the semi-finals.

Izzo admits he could have placed Trice more but says that wasn't the reason for the Spartans' loss.  He says they were simply outplayed, going scoreless for minutes at a time, and the Huskies were able to get the upperhand.

Izzo was also criticized for playing Appling during the Spartans's loss to Michigan in February after he fell again and tweaked his wrist.

Michigan State, though, was on a six-game winning streak heading into the game with Connecticut.

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