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Tom Izzo: Michigan State’s Underrated Leader
Published by JM Van Horn on April 5, 2009
When it comes to men’s college basketball, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo never seems to get much credit as being one of the nation’s elite coaches, despite guiding the Spartans to tremendous success over the past 14 years.
The media can never talk enough about certain coaches, like Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski or Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim. Meanwhile, seldom does anyone mention Izzo and his Michigan State squad unless the Spartans make a run in the NCAA tournament.
Since taking over for Jud Heathcoat after the 1994-95 season, Izzo has compiled a record of 336-136, a .711 winning percentage.
When you look at the numbers between Izzo and Krzyzewski over the past 10 years, Krzyzewski has more wins (291) and a better winning percentage (.829) compared to Izzo’s 238 wins and .795 winning percentage.
But Izzo’s 305 wins in his 13 previous seasons at Michigan State ranks as the 7th most in the history of college basketball. Krzyzewski was able to garner 248 wins during his first 13 seasons since taking over at Duke in 1975.
Izzo and Krzyzewski have each won five regular season conference championships since 1999. Krzyzewski holds the edge in conference tournament championships, winning six ACC titles while Izzo has won two Big Ten tournament titles over the past 10 seasons.
Izzo’s regular season success usually carries over to the NCAA tournament, with Michigan State being invited to the big dance for 12 straight seasons.
Izzo has led the Spartans to the Sweet Sixteen or further in seven of those 12 tournament appearances. With last week’s win over Louisville in the Midwest Region finals, Michigan State earned its fifth trip to the Final Four in 10 seasons.
When you look at Duke’s performance in the NCAA tournament under Krzyzewski over the past 10 years, they’ve advanced to the Sweet Sixteen eight times. But the Blue Devils have only made two Final Four appearances, three less than Izzo’s Spartans.
After Saturday’s win over Connecticut in one of the national semifinal games, Izzo has led the Spartans to their second national championship game appearance in nine years.
Izzo and Krzyzewski have each won a national championship over the past 10 seasons, with Michigan State winning the title in 2000 while Duke took home the championship in 2001.
Izzo’s .756 winning percentage (31-10 record) in the NCAA tournament ranks third among all active coaches with 10 or more games coached:
1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke, 72-22 (.766)
2. Billy Donovan, Florida, 22-7 (.759)
3. Tom Izzo, Michigan State, 31-10 (.756)
4. Rick Pitino, Louisville, 37-12 (.755)
5. Roy Williams, North Carolina, 52-17 (.754)
Perhaps the lack of recognition is due in part to the perception of Michigan State’s program. Not widely regarded as being among the nation’s best, Izzo’s leadership has put the Spartans squarely in the mix of team’s generally thought to be the best in college basketball.
While Dick Vitale and ESPN seem to have a love affair with Duke, serving as the Blue Devils private sports information department, Michigan State goes about their business in workmanlike fashion.
Year after year, usually doing so without the benefit of the hype surrounding the nation’s more glitzy programs, Izzo keeps winning and guiding his team towards the Mecca of men’s college basketball.
Regardless if Michigan State defeats North Carolina in Monday’s national championship game, Izzo will have more than solidified his position among the best coaches in college basketball.
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Tagged with: Big Ten, College Basketball, College Basketball Coaches, Conference Championships, Dick Vitale, Duke Blue Devils, ESPN, Final Four, JM Van Horn, Michigan State Spartans, Mike Krzyzewski, National Championship Game, NCAA Tournament, Sweet Sixteen, Tom Izzo, Tournament Championships, Winning Percentage
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James on Mon, 13th Apr 2009 19:40
Having been a long time Spartan fan and a grad of MSU, you really begin to appreciate Tom Izzo and his mentor Jud Heathcote. Tom does it all the right way. He runs a clean program, works hard, and gets out into the community. Around Lansing Mi, he is loved.