Coach Izzo deserves congratulations for what is already another great season, but he deserves even more respect for how he and his team reached this point. Throughout the Spartans’ recent run, Izzo has shown over and over why he is worthy of great respect for his team’s accomplishments on the court, its accomplishments off the court, and the way he has carried himself.

Earlier this year at Illinois, the fans were exceptionally abusive toward Izzo and the MSU players. Late in the game when an Illinois player collapsed on the sideline in pain because of severe cramps, Izzo was the first person who got to the player and tried to help him. After being insulted and harassed all day by the fans in Assembly Hall, Izzo could be seen trying to help the player work out the cramp. This was truly the action of a “good” person.

This weekend most of MSU and basketball fans everywhere will watch MSU play Arizona in a national semifinal game. The coaching matchup helps to highlight why we should appreciate all Izzo has done. In my time on campus, I have not heard one person claim any basketball players get unfair treatment in class or are given “perks” as an incentive to come to MSU. Izzo has built MSU into a national power without resorting to illegal or immoral practices.

Izzo has done a great job of building MSU into a quality and respected program. He deserves our respect for how he has carried himself as well as for the four straight Big Ten championships, three straight Final Four appearances and (at least) one national championship. All too often, coaches are allowed to get away with unacceptable behavior (i.e. Bobby Knight) as long as the team is successful. Izzo should be commended as much for how the Spartans have achieved their success as he is for the success itself.

Tyler Nester
mechanical engineering graduate student