Tom Izzo describes what it was like with Michigan State on the NCAA Tournament bubble

During his nearly three-decade tenure at Michigan State, head coach Tom Izzo has been to the NCAA Tournament 26 times in a row, winning a national championship and going to eight Final Fours. However, this season was a little different, with Izzo and the Spartans sitting on the bubble before getting into the Big Dance.

Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, Izzo met with reporters, where he described what it was like for Michigan State to be sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

“I meant, literally [didn’t sleep]. It was funny because, listen, streaks are meant to be broken,” Tom Izzo said. “Records are meant to be broken. I’m sure the day is gonna come, one way or another, but it just seemed like we had worked our way over the hump and that was an eye-opening 10:30, watching another game. The way it evolved was eye-opening for me. So, it kind of took care of the rest of the night.”

Tom Izzo admitted he saw the streak flash before his eyes on the bubble. So, it’s important to take the time when he can to appreciate it.

“I really did. I told my family, because they all asked me, I said, ‘You know what? It’s been a hell of a ride.” And it’s not going to end, and if we wouldn’t have made it, I would have tried to start another streak,” Izzo said.

“But, do I appreciate it? Every once in a while somebody will say to me, Seth Greenberg will call or Jay Wright will call, and just say, ‘Wow.’ 26 is really 27 years. Cassius [Winston’s] year we would have been in for sure out of 29. If my team now can get as consistent as my teams in the past have been, I think that would really help us.”

Michigan State has the longest current streak of NCAA Tournament appearances. Right behind the Spartans is Gonzaga and head coach Mark Few, making their 25th appearance in a row. Kansas has also made the Tournament every season since 1990, but the IARP vacated the Jayhawks’ 2018 run. It’s also a streak that spans multiple coaches.

“But to do that, I tried to call Mark Few today because he’s right there too,” Izzo said. “It’s an honor, privilege, and it kind of tells you a lot about the players you’ve had. It really does because those guys are the ones that do the work. I just keep the streak alive.”

Tom Izzo expresses belief in Michigan State ahead of NCAA Tournament

Even though Michigan State was a bubble team, Tom Izzo still believes in the Spartans.

“In all honesty, I felt good about this team. I didn’t like some of the things we did but I felt like the potential to be where it was never changed for me all year long. That’s what was probably frustrating to the media and the fans,” Izzo said.

“I feel better about a lot of things. I really enjoyed the way we were rotating so many guys in there because of foul trouble and every guy answered the bell.”