Tom Izzo is just the best, isn't he? The long-time Michigan State head coach is taking his team back to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019. After beating the Ole Miss Rebels 73-70 in the Sweet 16, Izzo was interviewed by Tracy Wolfson on the court and within seconds his team surrounded him.
It was visible that Izzo was emotional as he began his interview and simply just gushed over his team and how much he loved his guys. The Spartans didn't play a perfect game, and Izzo acknowledged that, but he also acknowledged how hard his team fought and how tough Ole Miss was.
"Coach, are you tearing up?"
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2025
Tom Izzo and Jase Richardson join @tracywolfson after an emotional win for @MSU_Basketball. pic.twitter.com/x2rdcTonOJ
The way Izzo's team surrounded him during his post-game interview with Wolfson is a scene that could make a grown man cry. His team almost looked as though they were bodyguards protecting him at all costs, and in a sense, they did just that tonight. The way they responded to everything he said was amazing, especially when he talked about how he felt about his team.
"You know, I love these guys," Izzo said as his team cheered in agreement with their coach. "It's simple, you know they don't quit. We've been a second-half team, and one of these days, we are going to be a first-half team."
It is clear that this is a special team for Izzo, even though he has coached a lot of different teams in his time at Michigan State. Izzo has always been vocal about how he has felt about these guys, and tonight was no different.
Watching a head coach cry after a win like the one Michigan State had over Ole Miss has every single Spartans fan reaching for the tissue box to whip away tears. This coach is special, this team is special, and this team is heading to the Elite Eight.