The Michigan State Spartans are back in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Tom Izzo and the Spartans defeated the Bryant Bulldogs in the first round and then knocked off the New Mexico Lobos in the second.
In Michigan State’s second-round game, they picked up a close eight-point victory over the 27-8, No. 10 ranked, New Mexico team. This came in large part thanks to strong play from Spartans players Jaden Akins and Tre Holloman, who had 16 points and 14 points, respectively.
Tom Izzo’s Reaction to Ole Miss Advancing in the NCAA Tournament Is Anything but Thrilled
Following the Michigan State victory, reporters caught up with the Spartans head coach and spoke about their upcoming game in the Sweet 16 against the Ole Miss Rebels on Friday, March 28.
“I didn’t know (Ole Miss) won. They won?” Izzo asked the reporter, before making a scared face. “I played Chris Beard before. I know his team is ready to come at you tooth and nail. … Can I enjoy this (win) until I get through the locker room? Then I’ll worry about Chris when I get on the airplane.”
Ole Miss head coach, Chris Beard and Izzo have only faced off once in their career. Despite the very small sample size, this clearly left an impact on Izzo as he’s not excited to play Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 at all.
Tom Izzo: “I didn’t know [Ole Miss] won. They won?…Can I enjoy this until I get to the locker room?” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/cBcbMD9K10
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2025
However, a lot has changed since their single match-up in 2019. Beard was coaching Texas Tech at the time, while Izzo was still with Michigan State. Beard outcoached Izzo, and led the Red Raiders to a 10-point victory over the Spartans in the Final Four of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Unfortunately for Izzo, Beard has looked like he hasn’t missed a step, especially this year. The Rebels, who were underdogs in both of their games, have come in and knocked out North Carolina and Iowa State in the first and second rounds of the tournament.
While ranked at No. 6, many still had the North Carolina Tar Heels, ranked No. 11, taking out Ole Miss in the tournament.
More impressively, Ole Miss picked up a commanding win in the second round over the No. 3 ranked Iowa State Cyclones. With players like Sean Pedulla, Jaemyn Brakefield, and Malik Dia playing their best basketball yet, Ole Miss simply can’t lose.
KEEP READING: 2025 March Madness Cinderella Stories: Meet the Sweet 16’s Biggest Surprises
Izzo is not looking forward to playing against Beard and the Rebels, and rightfully so. Beard has his team playing with the utmost confidence right now and they look poised and ready to end up winning the whole tournament. It’s tough to see a team who can stop Ole Miss right now, but stranger things have, and do happen in March.
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