While Tom Izzo may never call himself a "tournament coach," he may just be the best one out there. Last year, Izzo led a seventh-seeded Michigan State team to the Final Four, beating Virginia, Oklahoma and Louisville along the way.
This year's team is deep, healthy and playing with momentum, having won nine in a row and 13 of its last 14 games since losing three in a row in January. In the Big Ten Championship game, it was Michigan State's depth that helped it outlast Purdue.
"We're starting to get a lot more basketball out of a lot more people," Izzo said after the game.
Senior guard Denzel Valentine led the way as he has all season long, totaling 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. But even last year, before he was one of college basketball's most recognizable names, Valentine had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Spartans' 81-61 Final Four loss to Duke.
This difference is in the bench. Alvin Ellis played nine minutes against Purdue but hit a three-pointer and a layup and grabbed four rebounds. Matt McQuaid hit a three in nine minutes on the floor. Lourawls Nairn played eight minutes, scored one field goal and dished an assist. Three more Spartans played double-digit minutes and combined to score 11 points with 11 rebounds.
"He's bounced back, and he's making a contribution," Izzo said of Ellis. "And, again, he deserves that credit because he made a commitment this year."
Michigan State begins its NCAA Tournament run against Middle Tennessee State and would play either Syracuse or Dayton if it advances to the Round of 32. The Spartans' depth will really be needed if they meet Virginia, the Midwest's one seed and one of the nation's toughest defensive teams, in the Elite Eight.
"We have a deep team, we have a lot of guys that can play basketball, but most importantly I think is we have a lot of guys that have bought into the same goal," Colby Wollenman said. "They all want to win together."
In addition to keeping starters fresh, Michigan State's depth gives its top contributors peace of mind.
"Knowing that, I can go out, I can take rests," Valentine said. "I can play my game and feel it out and still come up with the win."
