Tom Izzo shares appreciation for Alumni Izzone

Michigan State basketball took the Washington Huskies to task on Thursday night. It was a blowout in all facets of the game.

However, that wasn't Tom Izzo's biggest takeaway. In fact, Izzo seems to always welcome this game on the calendar. The matchup with the Huskies was the annual Izzone Alumni game, which holds significance for Izzo and all the former Spartan students and members of the Izzone.

I myself was a proud Izzone member in my time at Michigan State (2016-2018). I also made the trip back to Izzone Alumni games when I had the opportunity.

Though I wasn't there this time, it's still a special moment. Izzo knows how special it is. He spoke highly about its significance in his post-game press conference. According to Ben Grunert from the Sporting News, Izzo had nothing but praise for everyone involved in making it happen.

"I hope every media person, every alum, every student, and every fan appreciates the specialness we have here," Izzo said. "The alumni reunions that we have every year are incredible, but for that many former Izzone members to come back over 20 and 30 years was special. Special for me, special for my team."

He also views it as one of his favorite nights of the season other than senior night. I was forutnate enough to partake in both events in my life, and boy is Tom right.

Not to mention the team always plays at a high level, when the Alumni Izzone is in the Breslin Center. Thursday was no different, as the Spartans and the crowd had Washington shaken.

It also happened to be the 10th straight win on the night of the Izzone Alumni Game. The Spartans have not lost that game since the 2013-14 season.

It makes this Spartan alum very happy to know, that no other school can say they have such an event. Sorry, everybody else, MSU takes the cake when it comes to alumni functions.