The Best Of Mr. March: Ranking Tom Izzo’s Final Four Teams

“Could you please rephrase this?”

On Monday night, the University of Michigan women’s basketball team suffered a 62-50 defeat against Louisville, leading to the conclusion of Michigan’s college basketball season.

However, our enthusiasm for March Madness remains high at Playinmichigan.

Basketball fans in the state have witnessed more joyful moments, including the rise of a man who earned his nickname from numerous triumphs in March. Whether or not you agree that Tom Izzo still embodies the title “Mr. March,” there is no denying the remarkable achievement of leading Michigan State to eight Final Fours within a span of 20 years. This feat has undoubtedly placed the program among the most esteemed in the country.

In light of this weekend’s Final Four, which showcases a lineup of prestigious teams, we will be assessing the most unforgettable journeys to the Final Four led by a Michigan State team under Coach Izzo.

8. 2001 

Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by No. 2 Arizona

The tournament seed is 1.

Jason Richardson, Charlie Bell, and Zach Randolph are aspiring NBA players of the future.

For the third consecutive year, Izzo’s Spartans confidently entered the tournament as the top seed, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force, commonly referred to as “a problem” by the younger generation. Additionally, they achieved a share of the Big Ten title for the fourth consecutive season.

In the end, Michigan State’s defeat was attributed to an Arizona team that boasted future NBA talents like Gilbert Arenas and Richard Jefferson. Although the 80-61 loss was painful at the time, there was a sense of relief in realizing that victory was not within reach. Frankly speaking, it’s preferable to lose to Arizona rather than confront Duke’s formidable strength in the national championship game.

7. 2010

Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by No. 5 Butler

The tournament seed is 5.

Kalin Lucas and Draymond Green, future NBA stars.

After their previous defeat against North Carolina as a 5-seed, the Spartans managed to reach the Final Four once again in the following year. Similar to the 2005 team, it can be assumed that they were extremely delighted to have made it back.

Adding to its lower rank on the list was the unfortunate defeat against a seemingly unstoppable team, making matters worse was the unforgettable championship game. The game reached an iconic status as Gordon Hayward’s last-second shot ricocheted off the backboard, rim, and then hit the court, while Duke’s Coach K and his team reveled in yet another national title victory.

6. 2005

Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by top-ranked North Carolina.

Seed for the tournament: 5

Maurice Ager, Alan Anderson, Paul Davis, and Shannon Brown are aspiring future NBA players.

Michigan State ended its four-year absence from the Final Four in a remarkable fashion, with a team that was considered unlikely to make it. The roster’s journey to the Final Four included defeating highly esteemed teams like No. 1 Duke and No. 2 Kentucky, which prevented this run from being ranked last. Although they ultimately lost to North Carolina by a score of 81-71 in the Final Four, their overall performance was commendable.

5. 2015

Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by the top-ranked Duke team.

Seed for the tournament: 7

Denzel Valentine, Branden Dawson, Bryn Forbes, and Matt Costello are potential future NBA players.

There is a tinge of bittersweetness to this Final Four season. On one side, it is truly unforgettable to witness Izzo leading the Spartans to the Final Four as a 7-seed.

However, it concluded with a defeat of 20 points against Duke, serving as a reminder that the Spartans may not have deserved to be in that position initially. While the impressive feat of defeating the No. 2, 3, and 4 seeds on their way to the Final Four should be cherished, it seems appropriate to place it in the middle of the rankings.

4. 1999

Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by top-ranked Duke.

Seed for the tournament: 1.

Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and Charlie Bell: Upcoming NBA stars.

Tom Izzo successfully guided Michigan State to their third appearance in the Final Four, marking a significant milestone during his fourth year as head coach. This achievement comes after a prolonged hiatus since their last appearance in 1979, when the legendary Magic Johnson spearheaded the Spartans to a national championship.

Although the Spartans, seeded No. 1, did not make it to the title game, their impressive performance marked the beginning of their era as a blue blood program. Furthermore, their remarkable run led to a record-breaking 33 wins for the Spartans, a feat that remains unmatched to this day.

3. 2009

Outcome: Defeated in the national championship by number one ranked North Carolina.

The tournament seed is 2.

Kalin Lucas and Draymond Green are promising future NBA players.

During this season, the NCAA introduced a new requirement for the Final Four stadium site, stating that it must accommodate a minimum of 70,000 fans. Consequently, Detroit’s Ford Field was selected as the venue for this event.

Considered one of the most unforgettable runs by a team coached by Izzo, the Spartans’ remarkable journey holds immense significance as they had the opportunity to secure a championship in their own home state. Michigan State achieved this feat by defeating consecutive No. 1 seeds, including an exhilarating victory over a UConn team led by Hasheem Thabeet in the Final Four, which took place at Ford Field.

Regrettably, apart from the UConn game, Michigan State’s experience at Ford Field had been a dreadful one. In a prior event called “BasketBowl II,” they suffered a crushing defeat against North Carolina, losing by a staggering 98-63. History repeated itself in the championship game, as they were once again defeated by the Tarheels, led by Tyler Hansbrough, this time by a margin of 19 points.

2. 2019

Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by No. 3 Texas Tech

Seed number for the tournament: 2

Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman, and Aaron Henry are potential future NBA players.

Michigan State, who had reached the Final Four in 2015, faced disappointment as they failed to progress past the initial stage in the following three seasons. Doubts arose regarding Izzo’s suitability for the job, particularly due to his persistent use of Jaren Jackson Jr. resulting in a defeat against No. 11 Syracuse, which took place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Additionally, their upset loss to Middle Tennessee as a 15-seed against a 2-seed only intensified the questioning.

However, this particular run held immense significance for a team that fell short of reaching the national title. Despite not making it to the top, Michigan State’s victory over a highly acclaimed Duke team, considered the greatest in Blue Devil history, led by the future No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson, meant everything. Moreover, Kenny Goins, representing Michigan State, delivered a game-changing 3-pointer in Williamson’s presence, etching his name in the university’s history for eternity.

1. 2000 

The outcome: Emerged victorious in the national championship by defeating No. 5 Florida.

Seed number for the tournament: 1

Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell, Mateen Cleaves, Jason Richardson – the upcoming NBA stars.

During Izzo’s second appearance in the Final Four, the man who had earned the nickname Mr. March successfully accomplished the task at hand, and truthfully, there was never a moment of uncertainty.

The Spartans dominated their tournament schedule that year, claiming victory in all their games by a margin of at least ten points. Their triumph culminated in a commanding 89-76 win against Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators in the national championship game.

Please rewrite the following sentence: “The cat is sitting on the mat.”