Quotes: Tom Izzo previews Michigan State basketball’s NCAA Tournament run

Well, it wasn’t pretty, but they did it. Michigan State basketball fans aren’t used to having this much stress year-after-year about making the NCAA Tournament, but that’s the world we live in now. Nevertheless, the Spartans are going dancing for the 26th year in a row, and all-in-all, they have a decent draw, despite being set to play a scrappy Mississippi State team just to earn the right to (presumably) play No. 16 seeded North Carolina, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Before the game, Tom Izzo spoke to the media and gave some insights into how he’s feeling about his program, the match-up and more. You can find the notable quotes from that session below.

MSU 'as big and strong as anyone' the Spartans have played

MSU coach Tom Izzo at the podium, says Mississippi State is “as big and strong as anyone we’ve played.” Says the Bulldogs might be more mobile at center than Purdue.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

Izzo compares Josh Hubbard to Jameer Nelson

Izzo compares Mississippi State freshman guard Josh Hubbard to former St. Joseph’s and NBA star Jameer Nelson. And @BFQuinn isn’t here to hear it.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

Mississippi State feels like a Big Ten team

Izzo says Mississippi State is “very Big Ten-ish.” Reveals who sent him the text last night about “bring your hard hat” to play the Bulldogs: Former Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

On Consistency

Izzo: “Consistency now means two games.”

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

On Jaden Akins blaming himself

Izzo said Jaden Akins was as down as he's seen the junior after the Purdue game and told him, "'I'm letting the team down.'" Izzo responded to "keep doing what you're doing" because he believes Akins works hard enough to shoot himself out of his slump.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

Izzo on Juwan Howard's firing

Izzo says he's "disappointed" in Howard's firing, along with others around the country. Also adds that he does not know all the circumstances around Howard's situation with the other off-court issues.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024

Tom Izzo on the state of coaching

Izzo: "I'm afraid in the next 3-4 years – I'm afraid even next week – that you're gonna see people in the tournament that won't have a job."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 18, 2024