Watch CBS News

Michigan State's Izzo Wants To Prove People Right

By LARRY LAGE/AP Sports Writer

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State coach Tom Izzo hopes he has not changed much since succeeding Jud Heathcote nearly 20 years ago.

Izzo says there's one way he's different for sure.

The national championship coach with six Final Four appearances acknowledges wanting to prove everyone wrong in the past.

Now, Izzo says he wants to prove everybody right. Or, at least those people, including President Barack Obama, who have picked his team to win it all.

The fourth-seeded Spartans will face top-seeded Virginia on Friday night in New York.

Michigan State is in the round of 16 for the sixth time in the last seven years - the only school to pull off that feat - and for the 12th time in 17 years under Izzo.

 

© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.