EAST LANSING — To Tom Izzo, this is when it all begins.
Even though No. 16 Michigan State basketball is the only unbeaten team left in Big Ten play after two December games, the Hall of Fame coach views this month as the true start of the chase for the conference championship.
“I look at this as the real Big Ten starting,” Izzo said after practice Tuesday. “Unfortunately, I’m not prepared to say those games in December — even though they count on the (schedule) — it just doesn’t seem like the Big Ten has started.