Tom Izzo reveals message to Michigan State in final minutes of Marquette game

Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans are headed back to the Sweet Sixteen.

The Spartans used a 13-5 run in the final three minutes of the game in their Round of 32 matchup against the Marquette Golden Eagles on Sunday evening to fuel them to a 69-60 victory. Their stingy defense held Marquette to 20 points less than their 80-point season average to come away with the win.

Afterwards, Izzo was informative with the media, speaking on his message to Michigan State prior to their run to defeat the Golden Eagles in the final minutes.

“I did tell them something in that huddle. I said, have you guys been talking it? We’ve had a heck of the last couple of weeks. We’ve learned. We’ve spent time together. I said you’re two up; it’s your game to win,” stated Izzo. “And, by the way, we haven’t made many 3s. That’s why your defense matters. And if you hold them without scoring, we win. Now, it didn’t quite go that way, but that was the message.

“We were going to keep the ball in the middle of the court because they did a great job of trapping us and we got it off to the middle. So we kept it in that middle third, and A.J. and Tyson did a phenomenal job. Joey hitting that big 3. We did some good things. We made some mistakes. I’m sure they made some. But it was a great game for us. Probably not as much for Shaka. But class guy that’s done it the right way. And those kids are young. He’s going to be a team to be reckoned with in the near future.”

Once again, Izzo proved why he’s one of the top coaches in all of the sport, and classy as ever, stating his respect for his opponents and their hard-fought, valiant effort as well.

Now, Michigan State will face off against Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen. That game will be played on Thursday, March 23, and it’ll be no easy task for Izzo’s squad.

The Wildcats defeated Kentucky in the Round of 32, effectively ending the season of John Calipari’s squad. It was an exhilarating game that featured some awesome back and forth action, but Kansas State was able to punch their ticket to Madison Square Garden.

With Michigan State and Kansas State, it’s a matchup befitting of the World’s Most Famous Arena. Both teams have the Elite Eight in their minds, but only one will advance past the other.

On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this article.