Tom Izzo Says It's Been an "Honor and a Privilege" to Coach Against Bruce Thornton: "We Couldn't Guard Him with a Fish Net"

Michigan State's legendary head coach made sure to rave about Thornton to his face, too, before and after the game. But he wanted to make clear, in the opening statement of his press conference, the high esteem he holds for Ohio State's star guard.

"I talked to Thornton before the game, told him it's been an honor and a privilege to coach against him for four years," Izzo said. "I said, 'You stayed put. You didn't run and leave like everybody does nowadays. You've been an incredible player, you've been an incredible person. I'm a big fan.' And I told him even more after the game."

Thornton gave reasons to rave about him, even in a 66-60 loss for the Buckeyes at No. 15 Michigan State. With their second- and third-leading scorers, John Mobley Jr. and Devin Royal, both out, Thornton played all 40 minutes and dropped 32 points with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and zero turnovers.

"We did not bring it today and they did. And he did, single-handedly, almost beat us," Izzo said. "So, give him credit. We couldn't guard him with a fish net."

In his last three games, as the senior Thornton fights with Ohio State for his first and only NCAA Tournament bid, he's averaged 29 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists with just one turnover per game. The Buckeyes remain on the bubble, but Thornton is doing all he can to deliver them to the promised land.

"He does what's required to help us win, and we needed him to score a great deal, obviously, in this game," Jake Diebler said on his radio show on Monday. "That's what makes him so special, aside from his work ethic and all that stuff we've talked about. ... He's such a great player, and the way he approaches the game, his discipline, his work ethic, all of that stuff is elite. Like, best of the best stuff.

"But he is a really talented player, and we're seeing that. What he's done the last three games scoring the ball, the efficiency at which he's scoring, rebounding while he's out there, assisting, it's really been impressive. And if you ask him, he doesn't really know at the end of the game what he's got (statistically). He's just trying to win."

Thornton slaughtered the defensive looks that Michigan State threw at him with floaters and mid-range jumpers, with the occasional drive and finish at the basket or 3-pointer blended in. As always, he found his spots and used superior upper-body strength to finish contested shots. He finished 12-of-22 (54.5%) from the field.

​"That kid's really good, Thornton. And I think what happened is, with a guy out, I think he took over even more than he's been," Izzo said. "His team responded, his coach responded, they just let him go. They just gave it to him every time. He can beat you going left, beat you going right, really beat you going right. He can beat you with a jump shot, but he's got a hell of a mid-range game."

Bruce Thornton is HOOPIN pic.twitter.com/zx5QL5qs5G

— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) February 22, 2026

Thornton never stopped chasing a victory. The Buckeyes played gutsy, physical defense while shorthanded, but couldn't find the offensive firepower to hang with the Spartans in the late stretches of the game. But even as his team trailed by 10 with less than 90 seconds remaining, their star kept attacking.

He scored five points via a free throw, a floater and an acrobatic layup to cut Michigan State's lead to 63-60 with 14 seconds left. He missed a desperation 3-pointer down 64-60 in the final seconds as the Spartans clung to life, but Thornton gave all he could. He always does.

"Bruce is one of the best guards in the country," Diebler said after the game on Sunday. "And the way he's guarded, with the physicality, he could probably shoot 10 to 12 free throws a game. He plays the game the right way. He doesn't try to trick anybody, he just plays with great poise. And I thought his toughness today – when we knew we were missing firepower offensively, certainly – he rose and stepped up. Thought that was great. And against an elite defense."

No player in college basketball deserves an NCAA Tournament stage more than Bruce Thornton. Izzo put it best. In the age of constant transfer portal flux and NIL dollars and athletes chasing the newest, best opportunity at every turn, he's stayed loyal. He's a four-time captain in Columbus, the only one ever. He'll become Ohio State's all-time leading scorer if he scores another 60 points, which is almost a given if he stays healthy.

Thornton needs reinforcements. Izzo's words on the guard are amazing, but a harrowing reminder of the travesty it would be to never get Thornton to a Big Dance.