His memory is a bit fuzzy — Izzo remembers his 1995 Michigan State team grabbing 26 offensive rebounds in a victory over a powerhouse Arkansas program, when it was actually 24 — but the message is clear. Some keys to success never change. “I always say you can win games in a lot of different ways, but to win championships, it’s pretty standard still,” Izzo said Thursday. “You’ve still got to be able to do things with some accountability and some discipline.” Michigan State (29-6) is in the midst of its 27th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the longest active streak in the country. At age 70, Izzo has the Spartans in the Sweet 16 for the 16th time in his three-decade-long career. “He’s Mount Rushmore of this sport,” said Mississippi coach Chris Beard, whose team will meet the second-seeded Spartans on Friday night in the South Region. “He’s coached in all these different eras of college basketball. He’s had different players, different coaches, different rules, different styles of the game. Now here we are in the name, image, and likeness and portal era, and Michigan State is here on the main stage. What’s the common ingredient? It’s coach Izzo.”

Tom Izzo’s Timeless Blueprint: Michigan State’s Relentless Drive to Championship Glory

In the high-stakes world of college basketball, where eras change and the game evolves, one constant remains: Tom Izzo. At 70 years old, the Michigan State legend has once again guided his Spartans to the Sweet 16, marking their 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance—currently the longest active streak in the nation. With a record of 29-6, this year’s team is more than just a testament to talent—it’s a reflection of Izzo’s enduring principles.

On Thursday, Izzo took a nostalgic step back, recalling a defining moment from early in his head coaching tenure. “I always say you can win games in a lot of different ways, but to win championships, it’s pretty standard still,” he said. He reminisced about a gritty win over powerhouse Arkansas in 1995, where his team, as he remembered, pulled down 26 offensive rebounds—though the official stat sheet credits them with 24. The details may be fuzzy, but the message was sharp: toughness, discipline, and accountability still win when it counts.

That mindset has fueled Michigan State’s enduring success across eras. From the bruising Big Ten battles of the early 2000s to today’s fast-paced, transfer-heavy, NIL-driven climate, Izzo has adapted while never compromising the core values of his program.

“He’s Mount Rushmore of this sport,” said Mississippi head coach Chris Beard, whose Rebels will face Izzo’s Spartans on Friday night in the South Region showdown. “He’s coached in all these different eras of college basketball. He’s had different players, different coaches, different rules, different styles of the game. Now here we are in the name, image, and likeness and portal era, and Michigan State is here on the main stage. What’s the common ingredient? It’s coach Izzo.”

While others bend to trends, Izzo builds legacies. With the Sweet 16 now in reach for the 16th time in his storied career, another deep March run seems inevitable. And as always, it’s powered not just by talent—but by rebounding, resilience, and the relentless grit that defines Michigan State basketball.