3 reasons Michigan State basketball can go on surprise NCAA Tournament run

1. Tom Izzo is "Mr. March" for a reason

We seem to be forgetting that Tom Izzo thrives at this time of year. He's earned the nickname "Mr. March" because he's made eight Final Fours and has the second-most NCAA Tournament wins of any active head coach in the country, behind only John Calipari.

Izzo simply wins in March, regardless of the circumstances.

Sure, he's fallen on some hard times in recent years as the Spartans went Sweet 16-less in 2020-21 and 2021-22 before making the second weekend last year. They took Kansas State down to the wire but were unable to overcome the Wildcats to make a very winnable Elite Eight. Still, that team was relatively disappointing as a 7-seed and it probably should've been a 5-seed or better given the roster.

The same could be said for this year's team on a much more real note. Michigan State is a 9-seed but it started the season No. 4 in the country and had one of the deepest rosters in the nation (outside of a disappointing center position).

But this is a new season. The postseason wipes the slate clean. Izzo has taken worse teams to Final Fours and I would not be shocked to see his guys finally play up to their potential and buy into Mr. March leading the way.

This is Izzo's month.