No. 12 Michigan State buckles up for Washington, West Coast trip

Michigan State is hitting the road, and head coach Tom Izzo demanded the No. 12 Spartans pack some grit for their Pacific Northwest swing that begins Saturday in Seattle.

The Spartans went 0-2 at UCLA and USC last season but Izzo reminded his troops novelty is no longer an excuse when visiting the newest members of the Big Ten.

"We've got to maybe be tougher and figure out how to grind it out there," Izzo said. "The schedule doesn't get easier, and we're still one of those teams where...