Latest news with #Izzo
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Tom Izzo, John Calipari seen sitting courtside together at Peach Jam
What do you think these pair of hall of famers were chatting about at Peach Jam this past weekend? If you ever want to run into a pair of hall of famers, you just need to go to recruiting events. It's the middle of the offseason and peak recruiting season so of course Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is out and about pursuing potential future Spartans. This week, that included a stop at the annual monster recruiting event EYBL Nike Peach Jam in North August, S.C. Izzo was one of many notable coaches on hand for the recruiting event, and he was spotted sitting courtside next to a fellow hall of famer: John Calipari of Arkansas. Thank you to college basketball reporter and insider John Fanta for snapping a picture of the two chatting on the sidelines during Peach Jam. Check out the picture from Fanta below: What do you think these two are chatting about? It could be about the upcoming reported home-and-home Michigan State and Arkansas will be playing over the next two season. The Spartans are expected to host the Razorbacks at the Breslin Center this upcoming season, and then will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. during the 2026-27 season. Both Izzo and Calipari have been around the game of basketball for a long time, and have both experienced a ton of success on the hardwood. But it is still always cool to me to see them at events like this with boots on the ground recruiting as hard as they did when they first started 30-plus years ago. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Izzo names 3 previous teams capable of winning national championship but came up short
Something I often find myself wondering about during the offseason is which of Tom Izzo's many dominant teams were good enough to win a national championship but came up short. And it turns out, this is something Izzo has also thought about before. Izzo recently sat down with Rick Pizzo of the Big Ten Network to discuss a number of topics surrounding his Spartans program and his own career. One of the items he discussed was the teams he thought were capable of winning a national championship but came up short. Can you guess which three teams he named? Here's the list from the man who led those teams: It's painful to think about how each of those seasons came to an end, but I unfortunately have to agree with Izzo on each of those teams being capable of winning it all. I would also add the 2018-19 team that lost to Texas Tech in the Final Four as I would have liked the Spartans chances against Virginia in the title game had they beaten the Red Raiders. Izzo, of course, has won one national championship during his career in 2000, and has been chasing his second title ever since. He has came close on numerous occasions, including this past year when the Spartans reached the Elite Eight. Hopefully, before Izzo elects to hang it up, he'll reach that pinnacle again and claim one more national championship at Michigan State. Check out the whole clip of Izzo talking about these teams, as well as some other interesting notes from his interview with Pizzo in the video below: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tom Izzo praises Coen Carr's offseason progression, expects 'big year' from him
It sounds like Michigan State forward Coen Carr is taking some big steps this offseason that should excite Spartans fans. Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo recently caught up with Big Ten Network analyst Rick Pizzo to discuss a number of notable topics surrounding his program, himself and the state of college basketball as a whole. One of the interesting takeaways from Izzo's interview with Pizzo was some very high praise for Carr -- who Izzo is expecting "big things" from next season. "He's changed his shot, changed his free throws, now he's gotta defend, he's gotta rebound a little bit better. I expect him to have a big year," Izzo said during the interview. You can see the full clip of Izzo's comments on Carr in the social media X post included further below in the article. Carr appeared in 37 games this past season for the Spartans mostly in a reserve role off the bench. His game saw a notable step forward in a lot of areas, which led him to averaging 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game -- both of which were more than double from his freshman season averages. These comments from Izzo are exciting to hear because he is not one to over hype any of his players, so it's genuine when he's giving any type of praise like this. Carr will be leaned on more than ever next season, and it sounds like Izzo is expecting that just like those who cover or support the team as well. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo reflects on record breaking year in 2025-26
"My first Big Ten win was against Indiana, so it's kinda apropos that it happened at the end."Tom Izzo reflects on passing Bob Knight to become the winningest HC in #B1GMBBall history 👇#B1GToday x @MSU_Basketball The Big Ten Network has spent their Wednesday featuring all things Michigan State, including every program the Spartan athletics have. While Robyn Fralick talked with the network, MSU men's head coach Tom Izzo also spoke to the media. With Izzo passing Bob Knight to become the winningest coach in Big Ten history last season, while also leading the Spartans to his 11th Big Ten championship, Izzo reflected on those accomplishments with Rick Pizzo. Watch the interview via X, where Izzo broke down and reflected on the history making year in 2024-25: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
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Travel + Leisure
16-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
11 Genius Accessories Wheelchair Users Swear by for Easier, Safer, and Much More Comfortable Travel—From $12
Traveling always offers the possibility of problems, but for those who face the challenges as a wheelchair user, the process could be a bit more daunting. The tourism industry is making great strides to improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities, such as wheelchair-friendly beaches and major hotel chains that prioritize accessibility features. This does provide some peace of mind, but planning for the possibility of unforeseen events is key. Whether it's a gel seat cushion for a more comfortable experience or a universal adapter to ensure your wheelchair battery stays charged no matter what country you're in, there are a few key products that will make traveling smoother and more enjoyable. I spoke with three accessibility travel experts who drew upon their own experiences to share helpful products for other wheelchair users: Jordana Izzo, Director of Accessible Travel with Travelmation; content creator Chelsea Bear, who shares her personal experiences of living with cerebral palsy; and travel agent David Lyons-Black, who is a wheelchair user and specializes in accessible travel. Here are the top travel products they recommend, along with some advice for preparing for possible mishaps. For long stretches of travel time, Izzo recommends packing a gel seat cushion. 'For those longer periods of time in a chair, proper support is needed,' she shares. '[A gel cushion] is a great breathable option, especially in hot climates.' The honeycomb design of this cushion allows air to circulate throughout the thick mattress, keeping it cooler for longer, which will help with overall comfort. The detachable seat cover is easy to clean and provides a protective barrier to help the cushion last longer. 'For my own peace of mind while traveling, I like to keep an Apple AirTag in the pocket of my mobility scooter and any checked luggage I have, so I can make sure it all boards the plane,' Bear explains. 'There have been a lot of issues with airports mishandling mobility devices or even misplacing them, so being able to track my mobility scooter's location helps ease my anxiety.' If you have multiple bags that could use an AirTag, consider a four-pack of Apple AirTags at Amazon for under $75. These handy devices work by connecting with your iPhone's Find My app to show you exactly where your items are, and reviewers praise how easy they are to set up. If you're not an Apple user, there are Android-friendly Bluetooth trackers to shop as well for tracking your belongings. For convenience and organization, add a side seat bag to any outing. Izzo chose this five-pocket model that works with wheelchairs, walkers, and electric scooters. 'These side bags are super incredible for easy access to immediate necessity items, phone, tickets, sunglasses, wallet, water bottles, and more,' she notes. A best-seller at Amazon, this bag is available in a variety of patterns and is made from heavy-duty nylon with adjustable straps so you can get the perfect fit. At less than $20, this side bag will keep your essentials close by for easy convenience. Bear considers compression socks, like her go-to Bombas compression socks, a necessity when flying. 'These are a must with air travel to help keep swelling down in my legs from the pressure and being seated for a long time,' she shares. Reviewers also swear by these Charmking compression socks at Amazon that reduce swelling by providing 15 to 20 mmHg of compression with a stretchy, flexible design for all-day comfort. In order to keep a hotel door open while adding luggage, a door stopper can be a good substitute for those solo travelers. This foldable, long-handle door stop can be a lifesaver. Lyons-Black relies on this product during his trips. 'This helps keep the room door open when traveling alone and bringing luggage into the room,' he shares. The long, adjustable handle eliminates the need to bend down and position the door stop, and the non-slip base works on a variety of floors like carpet, hardwood, and tile. There's always an uneasy feeling when a cell phone's battery is low. While some travel locations might have courtesy charging outlets, it's best to be prepared with a portable power bank. No matter where you are, these are ideal for charging phones and other electronics while on the go. Small enough to fit in a purse, backpack, or a chair's side seat bag, these little boxes provide big power. Bear never leaves home without her Anker portable charger. 'I use my phone a lot when traveling, whether it's to research whether or not a restaurant is accessible, getting directions, making phone calls to coordinate accessible transportation, or taking photos,' Bear says. 'I heavily rely on my phone, especially in the event of an emergency.' Traveling with the portable power from Anker gives her the peace of mind to know she won't ever have to worry about a dying cell phone battery. Small enough to be stowed away in a suitcase but strong enough for any needed support, these portable shower handles are ideal for entering and exiting a tub shower combo at the hotel—or any other time you need a little extra support. They simply suction onto the wall, so they can be placed next to the toilet, bed, or any other location. 'These hand bars are great for situations where you might need extra support other than what may or may not be provided in an accessible room or a standard hotel room,' Izzo stated. 'The suction cups cause no damage and can be reused.' This adaptive JanSport backpack has been a game-changer for Bear while traveling because of its smart design. 'It's very spacious, and I love the accessible zippers and dual side grab handles with additional attachment points,' Bear says. 'It allows me to easily hang the backpack in different areas of my mobility scooter without having to readjust.' With backrest loops, anchor straps, and spacious interior organization, this adaptive pack is spacious to hold essentials and then some, and it comes in a variety of colors. 'I can safely keep all of my essentials with me, whether I use it as my carry-on for a flight or for a day of sightseeing,' Bear adds. If you need electricity for charging your mobility device, Bear suggests packing a universal travel adapter, like this best-selling one from Epicka. 'This is essential when traveling internationally,' Bear states. 'I always make sure to double-check my mobility scooter's label to see if it's dual voltage or not to ensure I pack the right combo.' The Epicka adapter has four plug types that can accommodate the socket plugs of over 200 countries. However, you'll need to double-check your device's voltage and that of your adapter to ensure there aren't any issues when charging abroad. Lyons-Black also suggests being prepared for potential setbacks like a flat tire or needing to replace a tire inner tube. Basic tools, like this 25-piece folding Allen wrench set, will help if you need to conduct some maintenance. Make sure you have spares on hand, like an extra inner tube, 'as not all shops will have your specific size in stock,' Lyons-Black shares. A small portable pump will also help fill low tires or inflate a tire after an inner tube replacement. Additionally, Lyons-Black offers some travel tips to help keep travel trips running smoothly. For times of traveling over loose gravel or sand, a freewheel attached in front will help it roll through loose gravel or sand. Additionally, he recommends carrying a few spare parts, such as front casters and/or a joystick for a power chair. Finally, you'll want to conduct a quick Google search to find wheelchair repair shops in the destination that you are heading to, in case you need them. This will give you peace of mind in case something happens, and you need a repair shop service. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
