Tom Izzo gets emotional following Sweet Sixteen berth
The Michigan State Spartans are officially going 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. The Spartans’ stingy defense held Marquette to 20 points less than their 80-point season average to come away with the win. Following punching his ticket to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2019, Spartans’ head coach Tom Izzo was visibly emotional as he spoke with Jamie Erdahl of CBS Sports on the court.
You can watch the full interview below, but there are the transcribed quotes below it, as well.
The legendary Michigan State head coach was in tears right before the interview began and Erdahl asked him why he was crying.
“Yeah, it’s been a long year. But I’m really proud of those guys. They hung in there. Shaka’s got a hell of a team. He does a hell of a job. We just finally made some plays, you know. Our defense got a little better again. We made some plays. I’m just happy for our guys,” Izzo said.
Then, Jamie Erdahl asked Izzo about Tyson Walker. The Spartans landed Walker via the transfer portal this offseason and he just happens to be from New York City, which happens to be the site of the Spartans’ Sweet 16 matchup. They’ll play in Madison Square Garden.
“We’re going home. I told him two things. You get me there. I want a cab ride and one of them big slices of pizza. So that’s what Tyson owes me. He can pay for it with his NIL money,” Izzo joked.
The Spartans’ superstar poured in 23 points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out two assists in the win.
The legendary head coach then discussed how difficult it was to prepare for second-seeded Marquette with just one day of preparation.
“My assistants did a hell of a job, you know. I think that’s what happens. [The] kids were focused. Did a hell of a job. Everybody had some fun doing it. I can’t tell ya how excited how I am for them. Thank you,” Izzo said.
Following the interview, Izzo gave Erdahl a hug, clearly ecstatic about the big win, and rightfully so. The last time the Spartans advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, they made it to the Final Four. We’ll see if they can pull that off again this year.
Michigan State was able to pull off the win on Sunday despite only connecting on 2 of their 16 three-point attempts. Keep in mind, the Spartans averaged nearly 40 percent from beyond-the-arc all season long — ranking among the top five three-point shooting teams in the country. MSU big man Mady Sissoko stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Michigan State will face off against the Kansas State Wildcats in the Sweet Sixteen. That game will be played on Thursday, March 23.