The coaching genius of Tom Izzo

On the eve of the 2010 March Madness tournament nobody even pegged Michigan State as legitimate contender. It seemed more plausible that the Spartans would sputter in the second round than march into the final four. The team’s inconsistent play throughout the season which culminated with an early exit in the Big Ten tournament seemed to confirm their fall from grace after last year’s stunning championship appearance.

To make matters worse many injuries and disciplinary issues manifested themselves to the Spartans on the eve of the March Madness tournament. While lesser coaches may have faltered under these circumstances, Tom Izzo prevailed.

Even with the disappointing injuries to Delvon Roe and Chris Allen, Tom Izzo refused to acknowledge the setback and motivated his players to help the team by playing through the pain. It didn’t matter that Roe tore the meniscus in his right knee, he still logs 20 plus minutes a night and maintains his tenacity on the boards. The same perseverance can also be said about Allen. He tore a ligament in his right foot, but is willing to drag it around and knock down some 3-pointers to keep the opponent honest.

Both players are willing to act selflessly for the good of the team despite the physical anguish they are forced to endure. No player has a duty to play let alone contribute a great deal when they are injured, but that is exactly what Allen and Roe have been able to accomplish.

The injury that truly conveys the coaching brilliance of Izzo is the season-ending Achilles tendon injury to star point-guard Kalin Lucas. Amazingly, Michigan State has not lost a step without its leading guard which is evident in the three wins they mustered in the wake of his injury. What facilitated Michigan States’ success has been the emergence of Korie Lucious who had been in Izzo’s doghouse all year due to his lackluster performances earlier in the season. However, when Izzo needed him most, Lucious has delivered with a bevy of clutch jumpers in wins over Maryland and Northern Iowa.

The injuries to Roe, Allen, and Lucas could have ended Michigan States’ title hopes, instead Izzo has showcased his uncanny ability to adapt to obstacles and inspire his players to perform their best. Just ask Durrell Summers what it is like playing for his coach. “He is gonna try to get the last little bit you got,” Summers said of Izzo. “You can be tongue hanging out of your mouth dying, and he’s still gonna try to get a little bit more out of you.”

Just as injuries have plagued this team during the end of the season, disciplinary issues have been just as injurious to the team’s title hopes. Izzo had sent Durrell Summers and Chris Allen to the bench multiple times during the regular season and in the Big Ten tournament, but when he needed those players to produce they have. In the March Madness tournament Summers has been scoring at a 20-point per game clip all while playing spectacular defense while Allen has provided all the hustle the Spartans have needed. At the end of the Tennessee game, there was Allen with a big loose-ball recovery and score.

Tom Izzo’s ability to motivate his players to play at a high level explains his coaching success over the past 15 years. The Spartans’ head coach has racked up a 364-145 record, six final fours and a national championship due to a coaching philosophy that he enforces vehemently. Izzo puts being a great teammate above being a great player, and he believes that meeting your individual responsibilities and expectations is doing your best. Moreover, he is willing to make his players reach their potential.

Izzo even benched Kalin Lucas early in the season for not carrying out his responsibility as a team leader. When asked about his decision Izzo said, “If he wants to assume the position of being the best player, and this and that, he’s got to assume the position of taking some leadership responsibility, and I don’t think he’s done that.” Days after being disciplined Lucas delivered one of his best performances of the season going off for 21 points on 8 of 12 shooting. 

While other coaches may preach to players about taking responsibility and doing what is best for the team few actually enforce these values let alone are willing to bench their star players to make their point. However, Izzos’ unorthodox tactics have finally served their purpose at the most important time of the college basketball season. The adversity that Michigan State has had to overcome has made the team a more coherent group that has its sights set out on one goal.