Michigan State basketball: 3 reasons Tom Izzo is on verge of second title

After landing a pair of five-star prospects over the past two weeks, Michigan State basketball is on the verge of landing Tom Izzo’s second title.

Tom Izzo is red-hot, folks. After landing the prized recruit in the country, Emoni Bates, just last week, the Hall of Fame head coach received some good news on Tuesday afternoon with the commitment of five-star shooting guard Max Christie.

Michigan State has now landed five-star prospects in back-to-back weeks and the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation (who could reclassify to 2021) and the class of 2021’s No. 1 shooting guard. Not too shabby for a head coach who has been considered to be heading closer towards retirement and on the back-nine of his storied career.

The commitment of Bates seemed to light a fire under the head coach as he’s recently admitted that he’s feeling rejuvenated and he has a second title to win.

The commitment of Christie has to only further than belief from Izzo and if anything, this makes a second national title feel closer than it’s ever been.

Michigan State has come close to winning a second national title under Izzo multiple times over the years. In 2013-14, the Spartans just missed beating UConn (the eventual champ) and making a Final Four with arguably the most talented team in years. In 2015-16, an extremely cohesive team was upset in round one by Middle Tennessee and in 2018-19, Cassius Winston almost led MSU to a title, but Texas Tech’s defense was the difference.

Could the second national title be closer now than ever before after Christie and Bates commitments coupled with big decisions for the 2020-21 season? Yes, and here’s why.