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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Final Four-clinching win over Duke

By Connor Muldowney

Cassius Winston, Michigan State basketball (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Cassius Winston, Michigan State basketball (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. This is Tom Izzo’s best coaching job yet

Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Tum Tum Nairn, Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter. Those are just the guys who Tom Izzo was expecting to lose after last season from arguably his most talented team ever — two happened to be NBA lottery picks.

Josh Langford, Kyle Ahrens, Matt McQuaid and Nick Ward. Those are the guys who have unexpectedly missed time this season due to injuries.

Add in Cassius Winston who has been dealing with a foot injury and knee tendonitis and you’ll see a team that’s been limping its way into each game yet still finds ways to win.

The main reason for that? Izzo.

Constant adjustments and a new willingness to adapt has helped the Hall of Fame head coach go from “the game has passed him by” to “this man deserves a raise” in just one offseason. He’s been able to make the right adjustments and have his team prepared for each tough matchup which has been impressive to watch.

Next. 5 reasons Michigan State can win the national title. dark

If you go back over the years to rank Izzo’s best coaching jobs, this has to be No. 1 on the list. Izzo has been darn near a magician all season long with a depleted roster.

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