Michigan State HC Tom Izzo adds to March lore with 17th Sweet 16 appearance

Few coaches own March like Tom Izzo. And on Saturday, the Michigan State Spartans coach built more equity by punching a ticket to his 17th Sweet 16.

East Region No. 3 Michigan State (27-7, 15-5 in Big Ten) advanced to the second weekend of March Madness following a 77-69 win over the No. 6 seed Louisville Cardinals (24-11, 11-7 in ACC). The Spartans never trailed after halftime and were led in scoring by forward Coen Carr, who had 21 points. Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. set a program record with 16 assists, surpassing the previous single-game mark set in 1978 by all-time great Magic Johnson (14). (h/t Stathead)

Michigan State will play either the No. 2 Connecticut Huskies (30-5, 17-3 in Big East) or the No. 7 UCLA Bruins (24-11, 13-7 in Big Ten) in the regional semifinals. Considering Izzo's past success in the Sweet 16, the Spartans' run might only be just getting started.

Tom Izzo adds to impressive March legacy with win over Louisville

Izzo, who became Michigan State coach ahead of the 1995-96 season, is 11-5 all-time in the Sweet 16, including wins in four of his last five appearances. Last season, Michigan State defeated the Ole Miss Rebels, 73-70, to reach the Elite Eight, where it lost to the South Region No. 1 seed Auburn Tigers. That result was an outlier for Izzo, who, CBS Sports college basketball analyst Matt Norlander noted following Saturday's win, has an outstanding record in the second games of an NCAA Tournament weekend (round of 32, Elite Eight, national championship).

Per Norlander, Izzo is 26-9 in such games, with The Athletic senior reporter Chris Vannini adding that of his nine losses, seven have been to a No. 1 seed or eventual national champ.