After a hectic semester of eating fast food and racking up frequent flier miles, my job of covering the team became truly worthwhile after MSU’s loss to Arizona.

Despite the devastating loss, it was MSU head coach Tom Izzo’s class after the game that convinced me he truly values the media’s contributions.

The game definitely had to be one of the most disappointing times in his career, especially because his historic senior class fell short of winning a second-straight title.

But it was Izzo, like so many times before, who remained courteous and kind to everyone asking questions.

In the tunnel of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome outside MSU’s locker room, Izzo constantly fielded questions from print and television reporters for more than half an hour.

When someone notified him that his team was ready to leave the arena, the three-time National Coach of the Year made it a point to depart with the players.

But before leaving, he shook every writer’s hand and thanked them for all the work they did all season.

As a native of Lansing, who has grown up a Spartan, it was Izzo’s handshake that made me realize that all the hard work I did this semester was worth it.

What also impressed me was him telling me to “keep in touch.” But hey, that’s just Tom Izzo, a one-of-a-kind coach who constantly goes out of his way to show his respect to others.

Another aspect of covering the basketball team that I’ll never forget is the attitudes of every player on the team. There were many times this season where players would get out of grueling practices and would be hounded by members of the media for interviews.

But despite the circus, those guys were constantly respectful, friendly and a pleasure to talk to.

The team may have fallen short this season by losing in the national semifinals, but it was that experience that helped me gain a whole lot more than news clips.