LOS ANGELES — While some legendary college basketball coaches have moved on, Tom Izzo remains committed to the game.

Izzo has achieved nearly every milestone possible: a national championship, eight Final Four appearances, and several conference titles. He has made Michigan State a significant force in college basketball and earned profound respect nationally. He could retire content, having proven his worth.

“He’s a leader for both his community and his school,” stated UCLA head coach Mick Cronin. “If he’s not the foremost figure in college basketball, I’m not sure who would be.”

Izzo shows no signs of slowing down. Entering his 30th season in East Lansing, he is demonstrating that he still has the ability to energize his team. After a recent period of average performance during the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State is back in contention for the Big Ten championship, aiming for a successful March finish.

Yet, their winless visit to Los Angeles raises doubts about the Spartans’ credibility.

Michigan State began the season as something of a mystery. Following another year of just barely qualifying for the NCAA tournament, extending Izzo’s remarkable streak to 26 consecutive appearances, there was both hope and concern regarding what the 2024-25 season would hold.

In the annual Champions Classic, the Spartans failed to impress against Kansas, leading to further skepticism about their invitation to that event.

However, that loss may have reinvigorated them; subsequently, the Spartans triumphed in 16 out of 17 games, including a third-place finish in the Maui Invitational and a 13-game winning streak with no defeats during December or January.

What caused this turnaround for Michigan State? A blend of seasoned expertise and youthful energy. The team has ten players logging at least 15 minutes each game, leveraging contributions from veterans like Jaden Akins and younger players such as Jase Richardson. This depth has worked to Izzo’s advantage, allowing him to frequently change line-ups like in hockey, with the team ranking high in points scored from the bench.

Additionally, the Spartans excel in transitioning quickly. They average 17.6 fastbreak points per game, the second highest in Division I, benefitting from their rebounding prowess to spark their offense. Their speed often disrupts opponents’ defenses, causing fouls and giving them free throw opportunities. With an impressive 80.5% success rate, they rank fourth in the nation for free throw percentage.

While these statistics are impressive, could there be deeper issues at play in Michigan State’s rise?

During their 13-game winning streak, their competition was somewhat underwhelming. Michigan State only went up against two teams ranked in the top 25 of KenPom—Illinois and Ohio State—and seven victories came against the bottom seven teams in the Big Ten standings. The Spartans boast just one win against a team acknowledged in the YSL News Sports coaches poll.

As a result, the Spartans must demonstrate their ability to defeat elite teams, and their West Coast trip highlighted that there is still room for improvement.

On Saturday, Michigan State never gained a lead against Southern California while struggling with turnovers. The match against a rising UCLA team on Tuesday further showed their inability to maintain possession and transition quickly, marking their first back-to-back losses of the season.

“It’s inexcusable. It’s ridiculous,” Izzo remarked, referencing the team’s turnover issues during the trip.

The squad needs to resolve these problems promptly. Their schedule is only going to become more challenging, which will intensify scrutiny on whether Michigan State is a serious contender. They have upcoming games against top Big Ten teams, including two matchups against Michigan and one against Purdue. The last seven games of the regular season present crucial Quad 1 opportunities.

Perhaps the losses to the new teams in the Big Ten served as a wake-up call.

“I’m going to leave here with a better basketball team, but we won’t be satisfied until we understand that merely playing hard isn’t enough. We need to play hard, smart, and proficiently,” Izzo stated. “We’ve got work to do.”

Izzo knows what is required to guide his team through March and secure a game or two; now, his focus is on crafting a squad capable of making a run toward San Antonio for further accolades and proof that he still possesses his coaching prowess.