Tom Izzo's pursuit for a second national championship will begin on Friday.
The Spartans will tip off their stay in the NCAA Tournament on Friday night in Cleveland against No. 15 seed Bryant. Michigan State comes into this game off its best regular season since 2020, and looking to go on another deep March run under Izzo.
Bryant comes into this game looking for its program's first ever NCAA Tournament win, with the Bulldogs only playing in their second ever tournament game. The Bulldogs dominated the America East Conference this year, winning both the regular season and tournament championships.
Izzo held his official NCAA Tournament first round preview press conference on Thursday to talk the Bulldogs and this opening round matchup. Included below are the highlights from Izzo's press conference, along with the complete video (courtesy of SpartanMag):
Notes:
- Izzo talked about the excitement about being part of the NCAA Tournament again this year
- Izzo says the Spartans' margin for error is very slim despite a dominant season as Big Ten champions
- Izzo talked about the possible connection between Spartans' last National Championship in 2000 and how Michigan State opened that tournament in Cleveland
- Izzo discussed the connection and relationship with Phil Martelli and Phil Martelli Jr. -- who coaches Bryant
- Izzo talks potential lineups and the Spartans' ability to play "seven" different starters and the latest "separation" with the remaining players on the bench
- Izzo mentions how Michigan State has had some injury luck this year, which he credits to the depth of the team overall and chemistry of the Spartans
- Izzo talks the importance of Coen Carr's improvement this year and how the NCAA Tournament could "springboard" him into next year
- Izzo talks how mid-major programs impact the NCAA Tournament and his personal experiences in matchups with smaller programs in the tournament over the years
Full Video:
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Watch Tom Izzo preview MSU's NCAA Tournament matchup vs. Bryant
