Tom Izzo explains what sets Michigan State apart from the nation's other top teams

Tom Izzo has done one of the best coaching jobs of his entire career, leading Michigan State to a 27-6 record overall and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

This is especially impressive when you consider that last year's team barely snuck into the NCAA Tournament as a 9-seed and eventually lost to North Carolina in the second round after dominating Mississippi State in the Round of 64. It was a disappointing season that ended with a 20-15 record and a first-weekend exit.

This year's team has been much more effective and efficient in every possible way which is why the Spartans are in this position and considered one of the favorites to win it all.

But what sets this Michigan State team that may not be the most talented Izzo has ever had (although the roster is littered with top-100 recruits) apart from the nation's other top teams?

Izzo has that answer.

While the "not very talented" phrase gets incorrectly tossed around when talking about this team (and Izzo played into that with some sarcasm), it may not be his best ever, in terms of talent. But what it may not have compared to the Floridas, Dukes, or Auburns of the country, it makes up for with its connectedness and chemistry.

Izzo says that this team is more connected than "99 percent" of the talented teams in the country. And he's right. The team chemistry is obvious and it has been ever since Maui.

Which led Izzo to saying this about this year's team in Maui:

That's when he knew he had a special group and it hasn't stopped growing together since. The Spartans are on the verge of a potential deep March run as a 2-seed in the South Region but he knows not to take anything for granted, especially after 2016.

Michigan State has elite chemistry, though, and that's important this time of the year.