Alex Karaban 3-pointer helps UConn put away Michigan State (0:21)Alex Karaban nails a big 3-pointer as UConn wins 67-63 vs. Michigan State. (0:21)
Associated PressMultiple AuthorsMar 28, 2026, 02:04 AM ET
WASHINGTON — It was well past midnight on Saturday after Tom Izzo’s Michigan State team came up short in the Sweet 16 when the 71-year-old coach was asked where he sees himself in five years.
Izzo has guided Michigan State to eight Final Fours and captured the Big Ten’s most recent national title in men’s basketball in 2000. He wouldn’t take much heat if he decided he wanted to get out of the game like so many of his peers have — in a new day and age dominated by the transfer portal and name, image and likeness considerations.
Izzo hasn’t been to the Final Four since 2019 — the longest drought of his career. But he immediately called the Spartans’ future bright after Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr — both with eligibility remaining — left the postgame podium after a tough loss in which Michigan State trailed 25-6 before coming back to take the lead in the second half.
Izzo expects to return seven to eight players to go along with what he described as a strong freshman class.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I’m just not lucky enough to be playing on Sunday,” Izzo said. “I’ll get to play on another Sunday. Hang around.”
Alex Karaban 3-pointer helps UConn put away Michigan State (0:21)Alex Karaban nails a big 3-pointer as UConn wins 67-63 vs. Michigan State. (0:21)
“Trying to win a national championship — plain and simple,” he said.
Instead, it sounds as if he is not even considering such a scenario.
Alex Karaban nails a big 3-pointer as UConn wins 67-63 vs. Michigan State. (0:21)