Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has done a fantastic job throughout the NCAA Tournament, getting his seventh-seeded Spartans to the Final Four. He's received a lot of praise for the work he's done, but says he hasn't seen the same for Kentucky's John Calipari.
"I don't think he gets enough credit for what he does because everybody just thinks he has players," Izzo said on the Dan Patrick Show Monday. "Having players isn't always the key. There are a lot of teams out there with talented players. It's not talent that always wins as they say, it's the chemistry. What he's done there, with the egos, the starters he had there last year, cutting their minutes, it's incredible."
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He went on to praise the Kentucky coach. When Izzo was asked if he could coach Kentucky to a perfect record he said, "probably not."
"I don't know how John can deal with all the distractions, the egos and then the pressure of being at Kentucky. I do think he's the perfect coach for that job and I'm not sure there are many who could handle all those things."
Izzo went on to talk about one-and-done players. The belief is that Calipari is the only coach willing to take on those kind of players, while coaches like Izzo aim to get players who will stay for more years. The Michigan State coach rejected that notion.
"He's got some players that I've recruited for three or four years. Everyone wants to have one-and-done players. When we act like we don't, that's jealousy on our part. Or stupidity, I don't know which one."
While he says Calipari doesn't get enough credit, Izzo says he gets too much.
"Players play the game," Izzo said. "I never get to shoot a free throw or get a rebound. I think they give credit to the coach, but it's players that execute whatever the coach gives them. If they don't do it well, you're not a very good coach. If the ball doesn't go in the basket, you're not a very good coach."
Izzo's modesty is admirable, but he certainly deserves praise for what he's done at Michigan State. This year will mark the seventh time in his career he led the Spartans to a Final Four appearance.