Tom Izzo makes a bold claim that Michigan State fans are going to love

Tom Izzo was in relatively good spirits after Michigan State’s Sweet 16 loss on Friday night. While that may not seem like a good thing because we should all expect him to be sad and heartbroken, Michigan State fans should seek solace in the fact that he seems more motivated than ever.

Two years ago after that second-round exit, a somewhat-defeated Izzo claimed that he would get back to the big stage or die trying.

Since then, Michigan State has made it past the first weekend twice and the Spartans have also won a Big Ten title, had a player selected in the first round, and landed a top-five recruiting class.

For those reasons, Izzo is not down after a hardfought loss, but he’s also not happy. He knows what it’s going to take to get back, and he knows that he has enough left in the tank to make it happen.

Izzo made a strong claim about a deeper run next year following the loss that MSU fans are going to love.

While that could mean as little as winning his first-round game on Friday next year and playing on Sunday, he kind of doubled down at a different point in his presser.

”I’ve got some things to accomplish,” Izzo said about eventual retirement. “I said a couple years ago that I’ll find a way to get back there. We’ve knocked on the door twice, we haven’t gotten back. We’ll get back.”

Izzo almost seemed surprised to be asked about retirement in the post-game presser, but his answer was pretty reassuring for Michigan State fans. The Hall of Famer has no intention of retiring any time soon, and he even answer a question about where he sees himself in five years, and he pretty much admitted that he still thinks he’ll be coaching the Spartans.

A motivated Izzo always seems to produce elite results.

Tom Izzo has kept true to his vow from two years ago

The vow that Izzo referenced about getting “back there” from a couple of years ago followed a second-round loss to North Carolina in a season that was supposed to be special. That team began the year in the top-five, but fell short of all expectations and barely made the NCAA Tournament.

That team and that loss sparked this impressive two-year run that the Spartans have been on. Izzo is 57-15 over the past two years with a Big Ten title, two Sweet 16s, and an Elite Eight.

He’s also been recruiting at an elite level.

If the last vow was any indication of what we should expect from Izzo over the next couple of years, I’d be willing to bet we see a national title favorite in the near future.

Izzo can almost smell that Detroit Final Four next year.