Duke Fans Shouldn’t Be Too Upset About Losing To Michigan State. It’s Going To Help

No asterisk wanted or asked for.

We’re not sure why it came up, but after Michigan State’s win at Duke, Tom Izzo said this:

“We came down here to win a game. I think I’ve done a poor job over the years. I either get too hyped for the game or give them too much credit. I thought we were a good team that could beat them. I thought they had a good team, but I thought our defense and our depth — and it turned out that way.”

Well first of all, who said this should get an asterisk? Because the Crazies weren't there (presumably)?

We’re not sure if anyone asked that or if Izzo did that himself but we hope he was asked. It sounds awfully defensive otherwise.

As far as it goes, if you want to start giving out asterisks this season, where do you stop? It’s a stupid comment from a usually astute guy.

There was a basketball game. Both sides came to play and Michigan State played better. So hats off to the Spartans.

And while Izzo would never say this, Michigan State did Duke a favor. This is a young team dealing with a ton of things that have disrupted the season. If there had been the standard two exhibitions and two games at this point, not to mention, yes, fans, it might have been different Tuesday night.

All of what should have been, all the lessons that normally get inculcated in the early season, were compacted into a 40 minute game against an opponent that was mentally and physically tougher.

Duke lost, but the young Blue Devils learned a ton of valuable lessons. Instead of an asterisk, a thank-you note might be in order.