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On Monday night, the University of Michigan women’s basketball team suffered a 62-50 defeat against Louisville, resulting in their elimination from the NCAA Tournament. Consequently, the college basketball season in Michigan came to an end.
However, the excitement of March Madness is still running high at Playinmichigan.
Basketball fans in the state have experienced more joyful moments, and we are proud to have a man whose moniker stems from his numerous triumphs in March. Regardless of whether you believe Tom Izzo still deserves the title of Mr. March, his remarkable achievement of eight Final Fours within a 20-year period cannot be denied. This accomplishment has elevated Michigan State to one of the most esteemed programs in the country.
In light of this weekend’s Final Four spotlighting a lineup of prestigious teams, known as blue-bloods, we are evaluating the most unforgettable journeys to the Final Four led by Michigan State teams coached by Izzo.
8. 2001
Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by No. 2 ranked Arizona.
Tournament seed: 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 a 1-seed, solidifying their reputation as a formidable team. Additionally, they achieved a share of the Big Ten title for the fourth year in a row, further establishing their dominance.
In the end, Michigan State was defeated by an Arizona team that boasted future NBA talents like Gilbert Arenas and Richard Jefferson. Despite the painful 80-61 loss, there was a sense of relief knowing that victory was never within reach. Let’s face it, it’s much preferable to lose to Arizona than to face the formidable Duke in the national championship game.
7. 2010
Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by Butler, who was ranked fifth.
Tournament seed: 5
Kalin Lucas and Draymond Green are future NBA players.
After their defeat to North Carolina as a 5-seed, the Spartans managed to return to the Final Four the following year. Similar to the 2005 team, it can be presumed that they were exceedingly delighted to have accomplished this feat once again.
Adding to its position lower on the list was the unfortunate circumstance of losing to a seemingly unstoppable team, known as a team of destiny. Moreover, the championship game that ensued was undeniably extraordinary, with Gordon Hayward’s last-second buzzer beater bouncing off the backboard, rim, and ultimately hitting the hardwood, while Duke’s Coach K and his squad joyously celebrated yet another national title.
6. 2005
Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by top-ranked North Carolina.
Tournament seed: 5
Maurice Ager, Alan Anderson, Paul Davis, and Shannon Brown are aspiring NBA players of the future.
Michigan State made a triumphant comeback to the Final Four after a four-year absence, surprising everyone with their unlikely team. Their impressive journey to the Final Four, defeating top-ranked Duke and Kentucky, saved their run from being ranked last. Unfortunately, they were defeated by North Carolina with a score of 81-71 in the Final Four.
5. 2015
Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by top-ranked Duke.
Tournament seed: 7
Denzel Valentine, Branden Dawson, Bryn Forbes, and Matt Costello are prospective NBA athletes.
There is a touch of bittersweetness in this Final Four season. While it is undeniably memorable to witness Izzo guiding the Spartans as a 7-seed to the Final Four, it also carries a twinge of sadness.
However, the journey concluded with a disappointing 20-point defeat to Duke, serving as a reminder that perhaps the Spartans did not truly belong in the competition. Despite their impressive victories over the second, third, and fourth seeds on their way to the Final Four, it is fitting to place their overall performance in a more average position.
4. 1999
Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by top-ranked Duke.
Tournament seed: 1
Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and Charlie Bell are aspiring NBA players of the future.
Tom Izzo, in his fourth year as head coach, guided Michigan State to the Final Four, marking only the third occurrence in the program’s history. This achievement came after a long gap of 40 years since Magic Johnson’s leadership led the Spartans to their last national championship in 1979.
Although the No. 1-seed Spartans did not make it to the title game, their performance was highly commendable. This run marked the beginning of their era as a prominent team, and it resulted in a program-record 33 wins that remains unbroken to this day.
3. 2009
Outcome: Defeated in the national championship by top-ranked North Carolina.
Tournament seed: 2
Kalin Lucas and Draymond Green – promising future NBA players.
During this season, the NCAA introduced a fresh twist to their Final Four stadium site requirements by stipulating that a minimum of 70,000 fans must be accommodated. Consequently, Detroit’s Ford Field was selected as the designated venue.
This run by the Spartans stands out as one of the most unforgettable performances by an Izzo team, fueled by the possibility of winning a championship on their home turf. Michigan State achieved remarkable victories, toppling consecutive No. 1 seed opponents, including a thrilling triumph over a UConn squad led by Hasheem Thabeet in the Final Four at Ford Field.
Regrettably, except for the UConn game, Ford Field had proven to be a disastrous venue for Michigan State. Their previous encounter at Ford Field, known as “BasketBowl II,” resulted in a crushing defeat against North Carolina with a staggering score of 98-63. To add insult to injury, they would once again succumb to the Tyler Hansbrough-led Tarheels in the championship game, this time by a margin of 19 points.
2. 2019
Outcome: Defeated in the Final Four by No. 3 ranked Texas Tech.
Tournament seed: 2
Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman, and Aaron Henry are the upcoming NBA stars.
Michigan State, following their Final Four appearance in 2015, faced disappointment as they were unable to progress past the opening weekend for three consecutive seasons. This raised doubts among many regarding Izzo’s suitability for the job, especially due to his persistently employing Jaren Jackson Jr. during a defeat against No. 11 Syracuse, which took place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Furthermore, their shocking upset loss as a 15th seed to Middle Tennessee only two years earlier added to the concerns.
However, this particular run held immense significance for a team that fell short of the national title. Despite facing a highly acclaimed Duke team, often revered as the greatest Blue Devil squad in history, led by the future No. 1 pick Zion Williamson, Michigan State emerged victorious. In a defining moment that will be forever etched in Michigan State’s history, Kenny Goins delivered a game-changing 3-pointer, stunning Duke and leaving a lasting impression on fans.
1. 2000
Outcome: Emerged victorious in the national championship against the No. 5 ranked Florida team.
Tournament seed: 1
Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell, Mateen Cleaves, and Jason Richardson are aspiring NBA players of the future.
During Izzo’s second appearance in the Final Four, the man who had earned the nickname “Mr. March” successfully accomplished his mission, and honestly, there was never really any uncertainty about it.
In the tournament that year, the Spartans dominated their schedule, securing victories in every game by a margin of at least ten points. Their triumph in the national title game was a resounding 89-76 win against the Florida Gators, coached by Billy Donovan.
