Michigan State's Izzo: Watching 'Get Hard' caused slow start vs. Oklahoma

Michigan State's win over Oklahoma on Friday almost didn't happen, and the Spartans' coach had an explanation ready had they lost.

Tom Izzo admitted that taking the team to a viewing of "Get Hard" starring Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell prior to the game was a mistake. 

"I probably caused the problems in the first half. Instead of grinding it in some film, we went to a damn movie. We did it just to try to break up the day," Izzo said, according to Kyle Austin of M Live.

Izzo is going to his ninth Elite Eight following the Spartans' 62-58 win over the Sooners, and faces Louisville on Sunday. Michigan State trailed 23-13 at one point in the first half against Oklahoma, and went into halftime trailing 31-27.

Izzo said his previous interactions with the film's stars, and the hope of keeping his team loose, convinced him to take his squad to the movie. 

"I had to find something that was a little light. I didn't want anything too deep," he said. "This wasn't too deep. I kept seeing the commercials. ... I said, 'this could be a good omen.' So they went. I said, 'if we lose, we'll never do it again. If we win, hell we might go to the movies tomorrow.' I don't know."

He did not announce if there will be another movie viewing before the team's next game.