Tom Izzo opens up on why this run has been extra emotional for Michigan State
Emotions were high following Michigan State’s win over Marquette which sent the Spartans to their 15th trip to the Sweet 16 under Tom Izzo. It was especially so for the 68-year-old Hall of Famer considering all that has happened this season in East Lansing.
During his press conference on Tuesday, Izzo highlighted all the ways in which this accomplishment has been as sweet any he’d had in his career. To him, he said it starts with the three slain students and the others who were injured and impacted by the shooting on Michigan State’s campus back in late February.
“I do not forget what happened here, the tragedy,” said Izzo. “I think of those people. And I think of one that is in a hospital now in Chicago that is the biggest fan, a basketball fan, and can’t be there.”
From there, he highlighted how it felt that he and his team have been able to do this during this new era of college sports. With NIL and the transfer portal, he doesn’t agree with how programs can construct their rosters across the country. With that in mind, that’s why he’s beyond proud of being able to do it the old-fashioned way that he built his career off of.
“I think of the situation in this new era. We could just trade cards, trade players. You don’t even need anything. I don’t agree with that,” Izzo said. “That doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong. But we accomplished something by doing it the way I still believe. That was part of it.”
Finally, considering the ride the Spartans have been on, Izzo says it would’ve been almost unnatural to not be emotional in the moments after knocking off the Golden Eagles. With a 19-12 record entering the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State was by no means considered a contender before March Madness. Even so, they certainly have their chance to be now that they’re in the Sweet 16.
Pair that with how he expresses his emotions in general and Izzo said his team’s accomplishment was worth every single tear he shed following the victory inside Nationwide Arena on Sunday evening.
“I was pleased. Part of wearing your emotion on your sleeve is I give you guys way too much…I’m an open book on most stuff. So when I’m mad? I tell you and I even tell you the reason. I don’t need anybody’s support anymore. It’s not egotistical. It’s just how I feel. My emotions are always how I feel,” Izzo said. “The job is worth it. At the end of the day? The job is to win games for my bosses, all the people, the alumni, and the fans. But as a parent and a human being? My job is to try to make other people’s lives better than they would have had.”
“That day? On the court? Seeing what was accomplished for a team that had been through a lot? You’re damn right it was worthy of tears, worthy of joy, worthy of celebrating. Worthy of feeling good for them and for yourself,” stated Izzo. “That’s why I coach.”