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Tom Izzo Makes Telling Admission On How Much Longer He'll Coach
Steven Branscombe/Getty Images

As he prepares for another March Madness run, Tom Izzo isn't thinking about retirement just yet.

Michigan State concluded a strong regular season with a 79-62 win over Michigan on Sunday. The Spartans enter the Big Ten Tournament as the regular season conference champions after going 26-5. Izzo matched Ward "Piggy" Lambert and Bob Knight with his 11th Big Ten title.

Izzo addressed the Breslin Center crowd during the post-game Senior Day festivities. The 70-year-old head coach contemplated his future.

"I don't know how many years I got left," Izzo said, via the Big Ten Network. "You know, they say they're on the back nine, but I got something to show you.

Izzo then introduced his mother, Dorothy, who is about to turn 99. 

"So the way I look at it, I got 29 years left," Izzo said to the crowd's delight.

Izzo will extend his record by taking Michigan State to its 27th NCAA tournament. After setting the Big Ten wins record this season, the two-time Coach of the Year will pursue his seventh Big Ten Tournament crown and ninth Final Four appearance.

Even his mother is astounded by Izzo's decorated career.

"I can't believe it. That he's just done so well," Dorothy told WILX News 10's Owen Oszust. "Growing up, he was just a plain kid. Now he's got so much fame. It's amazing to me."

While Izzo hopefully has 29 or more years left, he won't spend them all on Michigan State's bench. But the Hall of Famer will hope to capture a second national title before retiring.

MSU ended the regular season with its seventh straight win. Tre Holloman scored a season-high 20 points off the bench.

Near the end of the victory, Hollomon shoved one of two Michigan players standing on MSU's midcourt logo. Izzo appeared to endorse his player's actions, as he directed the junior to kiss the Spartan logo after the game.

"Nobody changes our tradition," Izzo said.

With retirement apparently out of mind, Izzo will steer the Spartans into the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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