Izzo jokes MSU will use 'box-and-one' to stop OSU's Russell

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

Does it take four defenders to try to contain Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell?

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo apparently thinks so.

Izzo's Spartans are preparing to take on Russell and the Buckeyes Saturday afternoon at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Russell, an incredibly smooth and versatile freshman, is coming off a 23-point, 11-rebound and 11-assist performance Sunday in a blowout victory at Rutgers.

He's averaging 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists, and challenging Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky for Big Ten and national Player of the Year honors.

Asked how his team will try to defend the 6-foot-5 wunderkind, Izzo told reporters, "Box-and-one ... box on him and one on the other four."

Go ahead, coach, drop that mic.