Carmelo Anthony doesn't try to sugarcoat anything, especially when it comes to his Syracuse basketball career.
In 2003, however, a trip to play Michigan State and having to win at the Breslin Center in front of a sold-out crowd was no easy task.
Syracuse prevailed 76-75, with Anthony leading all Orange scorers with 25 points. Although Anthony was happy to get out of Big Ten country unscathed, he recalled how he felt playing there and the impact Michigan State's road environment taught him to see college basketball in a different light during a recent edition of the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast.
"I faced a Tom Izzo team during my time at 'Cuse at Michigan State," Anthony said. "That game was crucial and we ended up being a tough win. A road win for us, and it's hard to win at Michigan State going on the road on a Saturday at 12 o'cock. It's nasty. I always say that’s the worst place, the hardest place I’ve ever had to play any basketball game, ever.”
Anthony didn't share specifics further, but given the intrigue of the building and Michigan State's desire to always protect home court.
Izzo is still in East Lansing and is currently in the midst of one of the best coaching jobs in recent memory. Meanwhile, Anthony is enjoying his NBA retirement, as the podcast is one of his several endeavors he is part of in his post-basketball life.
Whether Anthony and Izzo cross paths again remains to be seen. However, both will be forever linked to the Feb. 23 contest in college basketball lore for years to come.