Michigan State throws down dunk after dunk in March Madness practice
Michigan State throws down dunk after dunk in March Madness practice at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Why is Michigan State’s longtime head coach Tom Izzo called “Mr. March”?
Because of his impressive record of course, including a 2000 NCAA championship, 11 regular-season Big Ten championships, six Big Ten Tournament titles, eight Final Four appearances, eight National Coach of the Year awards and 28 straight NCAA tournament appearances (a record streak for a coach with a single school) in three-plus decades at MSU.
The longtime MSU head coach led the team to a national title – beating Florida in Indianapolis (the site of this year’s title game, as well) – in his fifth year as coach of the Spartans, though he was an assistant under Jud Heathcote for more than a decade.
It’s one of two national titles in Spartans’ history. The first one came from Heatcote’s Spartans, led by Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser, beat Indiana State in Salt Lake City in 1979 for the championship.
Izzo holds an overall record of 59-26 in March Madness games at Michigan State.
Izzo’s run of 28 straight NCAA berths (not including the 2020 season, when the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic) is the longest streak in Division I men’s basketball history, ranking ahead of Gonzaga’s Mark Few (26, active), Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (24) and North Carolina’s Dean Smith (23).
His 28 tournament appearances are tied for fifth-most all-time and second among active coaches behind only Rick Barnes’ 30 with Providence, Clemson, Texas and, most recently, Tennessee.
Izzo is also 21-5 in the round of 64 (as well as 0-1 in the First Four round).
He was inducted among the biggest names in basketball when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 9, 2016.
How many Final Four appearances does Izzo have?
Izzo’s eight Final Four appearances are among the most of all active men’s coaches: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2019.
A year ago, MSU advanced to Izzo’s 11th Elite Eight and 16th Sweet 16.
Watch Michigan State basketball in NCAA Tournament on Sling TV!
Michigan State basketball vs NDSU, NCAA Tournament time
- Date: Thursday, March 19.
- Time: 4:05 p.m.
- TV: TNT.
- Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
