Michigan State Basketball: Most Memorable Moments of Tom Izzo's 20-Year Tenure

Engaged in 1983, Tom Izzo and Michigan State University said "I do" in 1995, becoming one in basketball after the retirement of the legendary Jud Heathcote. They’ve been happy together ever since, coupling their way to 17 straight NCAA tournament appearances, six Final Fours and a national championship.

Twenty years ago, Izzo was tasked with powering an already proud program to the next plateau. He did that by reaching the 1999 Final Four and winning it all in 2000. The 20-year drought had been handled, and the Spartans were back in the spotlight.

Four national coach of the year awards later, it’s safe to say that Izzo has certainly earned his stripes.

This slideshow will highlight some of the ultimate career-defining moments that transformed a guy from Iron Mountain into one of the game's most respected ambassadors. 

Izzo Is Michigan State, Michigan State Is Izzo

Izzo’s career has been decorated with several emotional, historical and entertaining moments

We're going to take the time to look at each side, starting with the lighthearted tradition of Midnight Madness.  

Take a look at his borderline crazy entrances: He’s dressed up like Maverick from Top Gun and as a member of the Kiss Army to have fun and to show fans what he would have done had he chosen another life.

As stated in the intro, Izzo is much more than a coach—he’s a celebrity. But he's never hogged the spotlight. In fact, it's quite the opposite; he's always been about the program, the players, the university and the fans.

The Flintstones (1994-2000)

In 1995, Izzo started his head-coaching career with a class that boasted Mateen Cleaves of Flint Northern, Morris Peterson of Northwestern and Charlie Bell of Southwestern. The trio joined Northern’s Antonio Smith, who arrived the year prior, and romped its way to the 1999 Final Four.

The next year, without Smith, they knocked off the University of Florida in the national title game.

That era of Spartans basketball will forever be remembered as Izzo’s finest stretch. He was a young coach with a plan—one who was lucky enough to find the right players. However, he probably didn’t realize that they’d end up writing the first chapter of what turned into a legendary tale.

The postgame hug between Cleaves and Izzo also deserves mention. To this day, long after conquering college hoops’ biggest stage, Cleaves remains close to Izzo and to Michigan State. Their bond personifies 20 years of Spartans hoops under Izzo.

The Human Influence

Tom Izzo the entertainer and Tom Izzo the “mayor of East Lansing” are very different than Tom Izzo the man and university pillar.

That couldn’t have been clearer in April when he attended a candlelight vigil for Lacey Holsworth, an eight-year-old Spartans/Adreian Payne superfan who touched the hearts of many before losing her battle with neuroblastoma, a form of brain/spinal cancer found in children. 

Izzo has never been a poet, but his sincere remarks and genuine love for the Holsworth family further proved that he’s part of the community—not just the university.

Sure, he used his position to grant a couple wishes for a girl who couldn’t get enough of her “Superman.” But he also used his position to tell Holsworth’s story, which has now become part of Spartans basketball history.

Win No. 400

Getting to the next level has always been the hallmark of Izzo's tenure at Michigan State. That said, snagging win No. 400 was certainly a shining moment for Izzo, who was overjoyed after his team's 68-52 victory over the University of Minnesota in 2012. 

Draymond Green, then a senior, had 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists that night, adding more glow to the achievement.

Izzo's 221 conference wins rank No. 4 in the Big Ten, and they're most among active coaches. The University of Wisconsin's Bo Ryan has 156.

Izzo Goes to Bat for the Big Ten in 2009

Prior to losing to the University of North Carolina in the 2009 national title game, Izzo took the time to address critics and defend the Big Ten. 

It may not seem like an earth-shattering event right now—nor did it seem like one then—but it further emphasizes Izzo's respect for the league his team plays in. He's even downplayed attention during seasons when it seemed like it'd be the Spartans versus everyone else. 

It's memorable because it's Izzo being Izzo. He's never zipped his lips, played "mum's the word" or shied away from voicing his opinion on hot topics, both local and national.

Run for Cover

Rain and lightning delayed Michigan State's 26-13 victory over Western Michigan University in 2013. Officials had to wait for the heavy storms to move through the area before continuing play. That said, everyone had to be evacuated from the stands. 

The student section needed extra motivation. 

Izzo provided that push, which goes to show that the basketball coach really does run things in East Lansing.

Thriller over Kentucky in 2005

Alan Anderson's four free throws during the final seconds ended what was easily one of the most exciting contests of the Izzo era. 

That University of Kentucky team was pretty good. It had some Rajon Rondo kid at the time. Maybe you've heard of him. 

The 94-88 victory preceded an 87-71 loss in St. Louis to eventual champion North Carolina. But the 2005 team was title-worthy, flaunting the talents of Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, Paul Davis, Drew Neitzel and, among others, Chris Hill.

Kalin Lucas' Floater vs. Kansas in 2009 Sweet 16

During the 2009 Final Four, Sherron Collins of the University of Kansas was victimized by Kalin Lucas, whose floater in the lane with less than a minute to play helped prop the Spartans to a 67-62 victory over the Jayhawks. 

It was a play drawn up prior to a timeout, and it's one that serves as a gold star on Izzo's stellar resume.

Korie Lucious Buzzer-Beater vs. Maryland in 2010 Round of 32

The stage was set for something big to happen, right? 

Lucas was on crutches, rendering him unavailable for a do-or-die game. However, Green, then a sophomore, was ready to help with a game-winning assist to Korie Lucious, who knocked down one of the biggest jumpers in Spartans basketball history. 

Michigan State moved to the Sweet 16 after shocking the University of Maryland, 85-83. 

Izzo vs. Henning 2010

In 2010, LeBron James had to make a decision. Now, to set it up, we need a little back story: Izzo has long admired James. So when the firing of Mike Brown took place, he was an obvious on-paper candidate for the Cleveland Cavaliers job. 

Would he bolt for the Cavs or would he stay at Michigan State?

That was the question, and it led to a flurry of columns from local writers, most notably from Lynn Henning of The Detroit News, who essentially questioned Izzo's intentions and way of handling the situation. 

The two exchanged words during a press conference. It's still talked about today. 

Izzo later went on to proclaim that he's Michigan State's for life, which was a monumental event itself. 

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan State Spartans basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.

Which moments do you feel best portray Izzo? Start a conversation in the comments section.