Tom Izzo on Michigan State's expectations as a 2-seed: 'I don't have nothing to prove'

For the first time since the 2018-19 season, Michigan State is a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. While some fans believe Spartans head coach Tom Izzo is out to make a statement in the postseason, he claims his recent shortcomings aren’t motivating factors.

“I don’t have nothing to prove. I really don’t,” Izzo said. “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.

“I saw someone write an article saying [we] haven’t been to a Final Four in five years. Some haven’t been there in 30. More important than that is one of the years we didn’t even have a Final Four. I think it gets construed.”

In the past four seasons, Michigan State only made it to the Sweet Sixteen once. In the 2020-21 season, the Spartans didn’t even escape the First Four.

Alas, history is on Michigan State’s side. The last time MSU was a 2-seed, it made a run to the Final Four, one of Izzo’s seven appearances as Michigan State’s head coach. Nonetheless, Izzo believes it’s important to remember he would’ve never made so much history in East Lansing if fans hadn’t been patient with him from time to time.

“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.

“The NBA doesn’t have that, the NFL doesn’t have that, major league baseball doesn’t have that, football doesn’t have that. That’s what makes college basketball and the NCAA tournament… I’m not trying to validate anything. I’m not trying to say, ‘Here, I’m not dead yet.’ I’m still relevant. I have a good team.”

After making three consecutive Final Four appearances between 1999-2001, Izzo had a comparatively quiet seven-year spell. However, he eventually bounced back, reaching the Final Four in 2009 and 2010.

Once again, Michigan State fell out of the spotlight and had to work its way back to being competitive in March Madness. Then, in 2014, Izzo led the Spartans to the Elite Eight. The next year he took them to the Final Four again.

Now, with six years passed since Michigan State’s last Final Four appearance, the Spartans might be due. Tom Izzo and Co. will start their postseason journey on Friday against 15-seed Bradley at 10 p.m. ET. The game will air live on TBS.