For Hurley and Izzo, mutual respect makes for a revealing October test

EAST LANSING – When the Izzone began chanting “F--- Dan Hurley” on Tuesday night, Tom Izzo rose from his bench and immediately motioned for it to stop.

With his arms sweeping wide in repeated, emphatic gestures, Michigan State’s coach delivered a message the students understood. The chant stopped and never returned.

Hurley’s sideline demeanor had given the crowd plenty to respond to during UConn’s 78-70 exhibition victory. He acknowledged afterward that the students’ reaction came with the territory, joking that they were getting their first exposure to his antics.

But Izzo’s intervention offered a glimpse of the respect behind an October matchup that both coaches considered particularly valuable. Hurley had brought his team into a building where he once sat as a young head coach, hoping he might someday have the opportunity to work the opposite sideline. Izzo had welcomed an opponent whose execution and toughness could expose problems he wanted his players to confront.

By the end of the night, Hurley was talking about Michigan State’s national championship potential. Izzo was talking about poor screening, uncertain combinations, and the demanding practices ahead.

Their assessments reflected different perspectives on a team still taking shape, and the candor of two coaches who value what the other has built...