Michigan State basketball: You can never question Tom Izzo’s work ethic

Originally posted on Spartan Shadows | By Daily MSU | Last updated 3/25/24

Although Michigan State basketball is heading home earlier than expected again, you can never question Tom Izzo’s love for the game.

Michigan State basketball has been in a very rough stretch the last four seasons. Nobody can question that. But what people can question is the reason for that rough stretch. There are many reasons you can list that could be the cause for the past four years, but one thing that will never be on that list is a lack of effort from Tom Izzo.

I truly believe Izzo is one of the hardest working coaches in America. And we have more proof of that as Izzo was out recruiting the day after their loss to North Carolina.

The next day after MSU lost to North Carolina, Izzo was in Ohio watching 2024 commit Jesse McCulloch.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo spent most of halftime taking pictures with fans here in Dayton.

Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler is also in attendance today.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/PoSLsBnChw

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) March 24, 2024

It would have been extremely easy for Izzo to take a few days off so he could get over the loss that ended the Spartans’ season. But that’s not what Izzo did, and that’s not what he’s ever done. He took the time to go down to Ohio to watch McCulloch play for a state championship.

This wasn’t like when Izzo watched a 2025 recruit play for a state championship at the Breslin Center right after MSU lost in the Big Ten Tournament. That time was obviously very easy for Izzo to recruit since the game was in East Lansing. This time Izzo had to go to a different state to watch his future player in action.

Izzo has been doubted for a few years now regarding some personnel and roster construction decisions he’s made. But nobody can ever question how badly he wants to win again. He even went as far as saying he will make a deep run in the tournament again or “die trying.”

Will Izzo adjust to the times and make some much needed changes this offseason? That’s the question on everyone’s minds. Many older coaches don’t want to make the necessary changes to excel in the new college basketball landscape, but I don’t get that feeling from Izzo. I think this season was a wake-up call for Izzo, and he will finally make the necessary adjustments that will take Michigan State back to the top of the college basketball world.

And that all began the day after their NCAA Tournament loss.

This article first appeared on Spartan Shadows and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: