Tom Izzo and Michigan State advance to the Sweet 16, beating 2-seed Marquette in an upset in the NCAA Tournament. Coach is fairly happy with the results.
This was a rare year for Tom Izzo and Michigan State Basketball, coming into the year with no real expectations. They were unranked heading into the season and some (myself) thought they were in danger of missing out on the NCAA Tournament altogether.
Tom Izzo told Tyson Walker he wants two things back in NYC:
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 19, 2023
“I want a cab ride, and one of those big slices of pizza!”
🎥: @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/Hdke3F8wyo
But the Spartans got in comfortable as a 7 seed. They defeated their first-round opponent, USC to set up a matchup with 10-seed Marquette. The Golden Eagles were riding a 10-game winning streak after winning the Big East Tournament and had plenty of momentum.
Tyson Walker!!! Go Green!! pic.twitter.com/Le6Y8CAI9i
— Anthony Troshak (@CoachTroshak) March 19, 2023
But leave it to Izzo and company to set the tone, early and often. Michigan State got off to an 18-5 lead. But the Golden Eagles were able to come back and take the lead in the second half, with the final minutes to decide the game. Yet thanks to center Mady Sissoko and a couple of key blocks to prevent scoring opportunities, Michigan State prevailed with a 69-60 victory to advance to the Sweet 16.
Tom Izzo in March #MarchMadness @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/OL9JuCCM7c
— Jonathan Cisowski (@cisow77) March 19, 2023
Tyson Walker led all scorers with 23 points, including some key baskets down the stretch. Joey Hauser had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while AJ Hoggard had 13 points and four assists. This was a roster that was doubted all year but unlike the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, and Arizona, the Spartans are still around to dance. Long enough so that Coach Izzo can “get one of those big slices of pizza” at their next stop in New York.
Most NCAA Tournament wins for coach vs. better seeded team since seeding began in 1979:
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) March 19, 2023
Tom Izzo 16
Jim Boeheim 15
Lute Olson 11
Rollie Massimino 11
Gregg Marshall 10
For Izzo, this makes it his 15th appearance in the Sweet 16, the first since 2019. The Hall of Fame head coach has eight Final Four appearances and a national title as well. He’s been putting the Big Ten on his back for the past couple of decades as he and Michigan State has been the only program that has consistently had success in the NCAA Tournament.
The path is open for the Spartans as well in the East Region, with Duke, Purdue, and Kentucky all gone. They take on a dangerous Kansas State squad but if they get past them, will have either Tennessee or the winner of Fairleigh Dickinson and Florida Atlantic. And based on the reactions from Twitter, look for there to be even more excitement to see how far Michigan State can go.
The reaction from Tom Izzo after the late-game Michigan State offensive rebound to help seal the game
— Kendal Shell 🏁 (@KendalShell) March 19, 2023
Rebounding means more to Izzo than any coach in the history of the sport pic.twitter.com/L2zmrnbl4i