Tom Izzo: Michigan State Spartans Give Coach Izzo 400th Career Win

Coach Tom Izzo struggled to fight back the tears as the seconds ticked down at the end of Michigan State’s game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Wednesday night.

A raucous student section had been chanting the name of the legendary coach for close to the final two minutes of the contest, before the buzzer sounded to officially give Izzo a milestone win. 

Izzo—who earlier in the week played down the importance of his milestone 400th win at the helm—cited the outpouring of emotion from his players as one of the predominant reasons for his tears. 

Ultimately and deservedly so, Izzo’s milestone will be the main story coming out of the game, but the ceremony and praise for their coach shouldn’t hide another impressive Spartan victory. 

Riding an especially exuberant student section, the Spartans came out from the start with ferocious defensive pressure, something that they maintained for much of the game. 

Minnesota relied on two early three-pointers to stay in touch in the opening stages but were hurried and harassed whenever they were in possession. 

Points were coming at a premium for the Gophers.

The Spartans, meanwhile, were scoring with ease. 

The inside work of Derrick Nix, Adreian Payne and the ever-influential Draymond Green was sensational in the opening stanza, with much of the Spartan offense being generated from the low post. 

As the half went on, Minnesota fought back into the contest but was never quite able to get close enough to challenge Michigan State. 

That changed in the beginning of the second half, when the Golden Gophers were able turn the tables on the Spartans and applied their own pressure, which led to a period of the game that was dominated by Minnesota. 

However, that period of dominance was short-lived, as Michigan State was once again able to gain the ascendancy in the later stages of the contest, ultimately pulling away to a 68-52 win. 

Green was clearly the dominant force on the court, tallying 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. 

However, he once again had support in the form of Keith Appling—seven points and four assists—and freshman sensation Branden Dawson, who added 16 points and four blocks. 

The Spartans, part of a trio along with Ohio State and Michigan, sit tied atop the Big Ten with a 17-4 record. 

Michigan State is 13-0 at home. 

With games against both Michigan and Ohio State in the near future, wins like the one the Spartans enjoyed tonight cannot be overlooked. 

In reality, Minnesota was a team the Spartans should have beaten comfortably, and in the end they were able to do that. 

But it was the manner in which they were able to win that will leave Michigan State in good shape for another tournament run.

Coach Izzo was celebrating a milestone tonight, but if the Spartans can continue to build this season, Spartan fans will be hoping to party once again in March.