Tom Izzo comments on his anxiety during Selection Sunday

Originally posted on Spartan Shadows | By Daily MSU | Last updated 3/18/24

Tom Izzo was confident before the Selection Show, but as the regions were being announced, his anxiety was through the roof.

This may have been the most nerve-wracking Selection Sunday in the entire 26-year streak of Michigan State making the NCAA Tournament. After it was all said and done, the Spartans were still comfortably in the tournament field, but it didn’t feel that way while the teams were being announced.

I’m sure you all were extremely nervous watching the show, but one person in particular seemed more nervous than normal. And that was Tom Izzo.

Izzo comments on how he felt watching the Selection Show

During a press conference after the bracket was revealed, Izzo was very honest about his feelings during the show. He said that today was “one of the most anxious days of my career.” He continued by saying “I didn’t know how it was going to go” and that it was “refreshing” just to see their name called.

Do you think Tom Izzo cares about his NCAA Tournament streak? Izzo has never been one to talk about the streak, but these comments suggest that it’s extremely important to him.

Izzo then went on to discuss how he felt good about their resume, but that ultimately he had no idea if they’d make the field or not.

Izzo: "I felt good if you believe in the NET, I felt good if you believe in strength of schedule." The anxiety came from what criteria and metrics the NCAA selection committee would rely on more. "Could we have done more? 100%. … It has not been the year I hoped it would be."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 17, 2024

That last part is something I think we’re all feeling right now. Wouldn’t it have been better if Michigan State had done even just a little better during the season? If the Spartans had won just one or two more games we wouldn’t have been so nervous during the Selection Show.

Izzo pokes fun at idea of NCAA Tournament expansion

The idea of the NCAA Tournament potentially expanding in the future is beginning to float around the college basketball world. Many, myself included, are not excited about the Big Dance expanding. Izzo has also been vocal about not wanting the tournament to expand as well. However, for a brief moment on Sunday, he was fully on board with the tournament expanding.

Tom Izzo isn’t for Tournament Expansion…but sometimes he switches opinions.‼️ pic.twitter.com/Bn5lqZwiXq

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 18, 2024

I wouldn’t take these comments literally from Izzo, but it once again shows just how nervous he was. Thankfully the nervousness is over and they can now focus on Mississippi State.

Let’s just hope in the years to come that MSU has nothing to worry about on Selection Sunday.

This article first appeared on Spartan Shadows and was syndicated with permission.

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