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Tom Izzo emotionally praises MSU after Sweet 16 win: ‘I love these guys’

Mark Kern

By Mark Kern

Published:

Tom Izzo and Michigan State are known for showing up in March and making noise in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans are once again proving that as the team is off to the Elite Eight after its 73-70 win against Ole Miss on Friday night.

It wasn’t easy for the Spartans, as Ole Miss controlled much of the first half. However, Michigan State went on a 9-2 run in the final 2:47 of the first half to cut the deficit to 33-31.

From there, it was back and forth the rest of the way, and the game was tied at 63 points apiece with 1:27 remaining in the game. For the second time on the night, the Spartans closed a half better than the Rebels to help secure the win.

After the game, Izzo talked about how the team continues to come back and win games with a true team-first mindset.

“I love these guys,” Izzo told Tracy Wolfson after the game. “It’s simple, you know, they don’t quit. We have been a second-half team, and one of these days we are going to be a first-half team.”

The Spartans will be headed to their 11th Elite Eight under Izzo and their first since 2019. They will await the winner between Auburn and Michigan, as those 2 teams are the game after Michigan State.

Mark Kern