Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield MA this September.

Izzo, known as Mr. March, or the Iz of March for his consistent ability to get into, and enjoy long runs in the annual NCAA tournament. 

The announcement was made during the NCAA championship festivities yesterday in Houston.

“To me, this was an award that was won by all 21 classes,” Izzo said of his Michigan State players, compared with the handful of recruiting classes that contributed to the 2000 national championship.

“It was won by all the assistant coaches,” Izzo continued. “Jud Heathcote should take a big part of this honor.”

Izzo grew up in the Western Upper Peninsula town of Iron Mountain, and attended Northern Michigan University with his classmate Steve Mariucci, who later went to caoch the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions of the NFL.

Izzo's first coaching job was at Ishpeming High School. He later moved into the college ranks at his alma mater, NMU, and then became an assistant under head coach Jud Heathcoate at Michigan State. When Heathcote stepped down in 1995, it was clear Izzo would be his successor.

Izzo has gone on to win 341 games, more than any coach in MSU history. He won the national championship in 2000, and currently has a streak of 18 straight NCAA appearances. His 2016 team was upset in the first round of the tournament by Middle Tennessee.

All MSU fans and foes alike should read this piece by Sports Illustrated writer Michael Rosenberg about Izzo. It demonstrates that the biggest reason he is well liked in the college hoops world and in East Lansing goes well beyond his coaching skills.

Others being inducted into the Basketball Hall Of Fame this year include Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming, and the guy with the best name in basktball history, the late Zelmo Beaty.

 

 

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