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Texas Tech’s Chris Beard calls Tom Izzo ‘an idol’
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Several up-and-coming coaches look up to Tom Izzo. With 24 years of experience, eight trips to the Final Four and a national championship, it’s easy to understand why.
Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard is one of those coaches on the rise who has looked up to Izzo. Beard, making his first appearance in the Final Four just three years after taking the job in Lubbock, has even implemented some of Michigan State’s mindsets into his program.
Texas Tech coach Chris Beard calls Tom Izzo "one of my idols" and uses terminology like "Michigan State toughness" and "Tom Izzo rebounding" in his program. Spoke with Izzo this morning after reaching out to congratulate Izzo on getting to the Final Four. "It was pretty cool."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 1, 2019
Beard said he uses phrases like “Michigan State toughness” and “Tom Izzo rebounding” with his team, according to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. Implementing those mentalities worked, as the Red Raiders have reached the Final Four for the first time in program history.
The Red Raiders have been tough this season, particularly on the defensive end. They’ve allowed 70 points or more just three times on the year and got to this point by excelling on that end of the floor. Now, Beard will go head to head against one of the guys he calls “one of my idols.”
Michigan State and Texas Tech will go head to head in the Final Four on Saturday evening, with tipoff scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET. Izzo is shooting for his second national championship.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB