The eyes of the nation will be on the NCAA Tournament as March Madness takes center stage. Among the most scrutinized programs are the Michigan State Spartans, who will face big expectations and high pressure in their first-round matchup against the Bryant Bulldogs. While the noise around the Spartans is loud, head coach Tom Izzo set the record straight about his team’s mindset.
The Spartans failed to make the Big Ten Championship Game after falling to the Wisconsin Badgers by a score of 77-74. While the loss in the semifinal was deflating, the bigger challenge and objective is still before Michigan State’s eyes.
The college basketball program led by 30-year veteran coach Tom Izzo will be chasing its third NCAA Tournament championship in school history. Izzo guided the Spartans to a title during the 1999-00 season and hopes to spark another celebration in East Lansing a quarter-century later.
It won’t be easy, whatsoever. Needless to say, it won’t be Izzo’s first rodeo, and the experienced head coach may have a trick under his sleeve as March Madness approaches. They say pressure is a privilege, but the Spartans’ bench boss may not share that thought.
Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on before the start of the game against the Purdue Boilermakersat Breslin Center on February 18, 2025 in East Lansing, Michigan.
“I don’t have nothing to prove. I really don’t,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said, per On3. “I’m comfortable in my own skin where the program is at. Two years ago we were in a Sweet Sixteen. If we win that game, we lose in overtime, we may be in a Final Four that year. It’s amazing how that works.“
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As difficult—actually, nearly impossible—as it is to predict a perfect March Madness bracket, with its one-in-nine-quintillion odds, making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament is also extremely challenging, though many take it for granted.
“Unfortunately we see coaches getting fired because people don’t understand how difficult it is,” Izzo said. “I’m not proving anything in the NCAA tournament. I’m hoping to continue to win games but I’m smart enough to know, and I think most of you are, because the reason it’s called one and done is because one bad minute and you’re out.“
Jaxon Kohler #0 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 15, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Michigan State will hope their bad minute doesn’t come until later in the competition. To kickstart the frenzy, the Spartans will take on the Bulldogs on March 21 at 10p.m EST at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
