The NCAA Tournament has typically been where the Michigan State Spartans and long-time head coach Tom Izzo thrive. And this year to nobody’s surprise was no different.
Michigan State won its first matchup on Friday against USC. They faced a far more challenging test against No. 2 seeded Marquette on Sunday, which the Spartans made look relatively easy.
Senior guard Tyson Walker helped lead the Spartans to a huge 69-60 upset victory with a 23-point performance.
Izzo discussed Walker’s impressive performance after the game and got emotional when discussing what reaching the Sweet 16 meant to him in a year that has been difficult for the Michigan State fanbase.
“It’s been a long year but I’m really proud of those guys, they hung in there. We just finally made some plays. Our defense got a little better again, and I am just happy for our guys.”
"It's been a long year but really proud of those guys, they hung in there."@MSU_Basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo joins @JamieErdahl after the victory against Marquette 🏀. pic.twitter.com/K5AGtRDnZK
— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) March 19, 2023
Izzo and Walker will now be heading to Madison Square Garden to play in the Sweet 16 against Kansas State. Walker is from New York City, and Izzo revealed a hilarious request he had for Walker once they get there.
“We’re going home. I told him two things. You get me there, and I want a cab ride and one of those big slices of pizza. That’s what Tyson (Walker) owes me. He can pay for it with some of his NIL money.”
It is great that Izzo was able to turn this interview towards a far more jovial path despite very clear emotions that he showed at the start of it.
Michigan State notably had a tragic shooting at the campus back in Feburary, resulting in the death of three students along with five injured students in the attack.
That obviously had to be weighing heavily on both the school and the basketball team this season. And given the cirsumstances, both Tom Izzo and the MSU basketball team should be proud of their excellent tournament run to this point.
