EAST LANSING – Tom Izzo’s team is still unbeaten, ranked in the top 10 and facing another huge week.

The Michigan State basketball coach now in his 31 st season remains an example of consistency but the same can’t be said for the school’s football program.

Coach Jonathan Smith was fired on Sunday after posting a 9-15 record in two seasons .

“I am saddened by what happened,” Izzo said on Monday. “I understood it, he understood. I talked to him today, he understood it, which is really important but doesn’t mean we have to like it.”

Smith was hired away from Oregon State in November 2023 and landed a seven-year, $52.85 million contract. Following a 5-7 record last year, the Spartans started 3-0 again this fall before imploding. They lost eight straight games before a 38-28 win against

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