In a blast from the past, Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo revealed a unique practice tactic that involved football pads borrowed from then-football coach Nick Saban, now the head coach at Alabama. The idea came after Michigan State lost a rebounding battle, inspiring Izzo to introduce what he called a “war game” drill with the pads on the hardwood. The drill involved players lining up under the basket and at the three-point line, and essentially playing a physical game of basketball with a football-like intensity.
Izzo shared the story during an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, reminiscing about the fun and competitive nature of the drill, despite the potential for injury in today’s litigious environment. The drill proved to be effective as Michigan State went on to participate in multiple Final Fours around the same time.
Coincidentally, both Alabama, coached by Saban, and Michigan State, led by Izzo, are No. 2 seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The revelation of this unconventional practice tactic adds an interesting layer to the upcoming tournament as fans of both teams eagerly await their performances on the court.
As fans gear up for March Madness, Nick Kelly, an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group, will be covering all the action. Follow him on X and Instagram to stay updated on the latest developments.
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