Lansing Sun

Freshman guard Jase Richardson scored 11 points, and sophomore forward Xavier Booker added 10 points as Michigan State's men's basketball team defeated Northern Michigan 70-53 in the Superior Dome Showdown. The game, held in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, was a significant event for MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo, who is a 1977 graduate of Northern Michigan.

Northern Michigan honored Izzo by announcing the retirement of his jersey, #10, during a ceremony on Saturday night. Reflecting on his roots, Izzo stated, "There's a proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. I think that's very true and I had so many people that helped raise me, mentor me."

The weekend served as an opportunity for Izzo to create lasting memories for his players and fans. Supporters lined up outside NMU's Superior Dome hours before the game despite light rain. The team's arrival was highly anticipated since the announcement of the game during summer.

Izzo received recognition early in the game and participated in several media engagements during live coverage by the Big Ten Network. At one point, he joined his best friend Steve Mariucci on air. Additionally, he took part in honoring Senya Smith, an 11-year-old leukemia survivor from Marquette.

After securing victory over Northern Michigan, both coaches expressed gratitude to the community for their support. "All in all, it really was about...a homecoming," said Izzo. He emphasized that it was not just about him but also about those who helped him along his journey.

Izzo concluded with appreciation for the experience: "It didn't really meet them (expectations), it 10 times super-ceded them." He highlighted how meaningful it was to bring people together and express gratitude for their role in shaping his career.