By LARRY LAGE
Associated Press
Feb. 7, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has sent him an encouraging text message.
Izzo says the note from Gilbert on Monday read "hang in there."
The Spartans have lost two straight -- by 20-plus points -- and five of six to fall out of The Associated Press poll. Michigan State was ranked No. 2 in the preseason.
Gilbert tried to hire away Izzo last summer. The Cavaliers are having a tougher time than the Spartans right now -- Cleveland took a record 24-game losing streak into Monday night's game at Dallas.
Izzo says he's happy with the decision he made to turn down a chance to double his pay this season with the Cavs. He jokes that some people probably aren't happy he stayed.
