Michigan State not sweating extra-long layoff

(Photo: Dale G. Young / Detroit News)East Lansing — Tom Izzo has said it every time the subject comes up about the long layoff from the end of the Big Ten tournament to the start of the NCAA Tournament.

If the Spartans make a deep run, then the break was great. Flame out early, and the time off was awful.

But by the time third-seeded Michigan State takes on No. 14 Bucknell on Friday night in the Midwest Region at Little Caesars Arena, the 12 off days in between games won’t matter. At least, that’s the way Izzo sees it.

“You know, who cares?” Izzo said. “I'm not going to be any different than any other coach probably. If you win, the two weeks off did you well. If you lose, they caused you to…