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Tom Izzo Makes NCAA Tournament History in Michigan State’s Sweet 16 Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 10:36 PM ET

Tom Izzo and the No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans kept their season alive on Friday night, advancing to the South Region final.

Playing in Atlanta, Ga., the middle of SEC country, Michigan State was able to knock off No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels 73-70 in the Sweet 16.

The Spartans didn't play their best basketball in the first half, taking a 33-31 deficit into halftime. But thanks to a 42-point second half, Michigan State was able to pull off the win.

Coming into the game, Izzo, in his 30-year Michigan State career, had won 13 NCAA Tournament games when trailing at halftime, good for second-most as a coach in college basketball history.

With his latest win, Izzo has now won 14 NCAA Tournament games when trailing at halftime, tying former Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski for the most tournament wins when trailing at halftime.

North Carolina Tar Heels coaching legend Roy Williams and former Georgetown Hoyas coach John Thompson are also now tied for the second-most NCAA Tournament wins when trailing at halftime with 12 apiece.

Most NCAA Tournament Wins When Trailing at Halftime
Tom Izzo 14
Mike Krzyzewski 14
Roy Williams 12
John Thompson 12
— Harold Shelton III (@Harold3Shelton) March 29, 2025

The comeback against Ole Miss also marked Michigan State's second win of this season's tournament when trailing at halftime. In the second-round win over No. 10 seed New Mexico, Michigan State found themselves down 31-29 at the half before outscoring the Lobos by ten in the second.

Izzo and Michigan State need one more win to earn a trip to San Antonio, Tex., for the Final Four. They will get the winner of No. 1 seed Auburn and No. 5 seed Michigan in the Elite Eight.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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