Traverse City Record-Eagle

Mike Eckert

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March 29, 2010

Mike Eckert: MSU lives on name, Izzo

With 11 seconds left in Sunday's game between Michigan State and Tennessee, local cable locked up.

While Spartan fans surely were irate staring at the frozen image of Vols coach Bruce Pearl, it didn't matter. The outcome of that game already had been decided.

One team had Tom Izzo roaming the sideline and that "State" logo on the front of their jerseys. The other didn't.

Ballgame.

Izzo has created a dynasty. With Sunday's 70-69 win, he's led Michigan State to six Final Fours in 12 years.

Should the Spartans have won more Big Ten Conference titles over that span? Maybe. But the fact is Izzo's made green a festive color to wear in March for more than just St. Patrick's Day.

There's now a mystique about this program. Izzo's tournament record is 35-11. And if Michigan State wins a Thursday or Friday game, look out. Izzo's only lost once in the second round and once in the Elite Eight.

Part of that comes from his skills as a coach and the preparation he and his staff put into those games after a 48-hour turnaround.

But part of it also has become the name on the jersey.

Michigan State players now expect to win in the NCAA tournament. And opposing teams know what they're up against.

Just ask Tennessee. The Vols were in the Elite Eight for the first time in school history on Sunday. All but two of Michigan State's players were in the same game just a year ago -- and won.

Tell me that didn't play a factor in a tight game with so much on the line.

As for Izzo, this year may be as good of a coaching job as he's done in East Lansing.

It's ironic, since MSU was the national runner-up a year ago and returned the majority of that team.

Talent-wise, the Spartans have been one of the top teams all year.

But talent only gets you so far. Just ask Kentucky. Should they all leave early as expected, the Wildcats will have two lottery picks in this year's NBA draft and two more first-rounders. And they'll be watching the Final Four from home.

This year, Izzo's handled injuries. Kalin Lucas is gone, Chris Allen can't elevate and Delvon Roe's knee hurts just from getting out of bed.

Yet, the Spartans are still dancing.

There have been rumblings about chemistry issues for MSU all season. Izzo's benched players and cut their minutes for violating team rules. It's his way or the highway and that point was made on more than one occasion.

Yet, the Spartans are still dancing.

This is the time of year when programs are defined. Nobody remembers that Illinois shared the Big Ten title with Michigan State in 2001, or that Purdue was the Big Ten tournament champion last season.

But everyone remembers that the Spartans made the Final Four each of those years.

March is when Izzo teams shine. And nobody's in the dark on that.

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