Fansided

5 reasons why Michigan State is this year’s UConn

By FanSided Staff

Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Travis Trice (20) reacts after making a three pointer during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Travis Trice (20) reacts after making a three pointer during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo calls to his team during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo calls to his team during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Coaching wins Championships

Good coaching can go a long way in March. It is something that has been proven time and time again in the NCAA tournament. There is a reason legendary coaches such as Jim Calhoun, Mike Krzyzewski, and Roy Williams have so many championships. It is because whenever their team can get in the tournament, no matter what seed they happen to be, they have an immediate chance of winning it all. Coaching is so valuable in college basketball because some of these players are just 18 year olds. They need that guidance and leadership to max their potential. Kevin Ollie was one of the big reasons UConn won last year, and Tom Izzo is one of the big reasons Michigan State is in the Final Four this year.

Kevin Ollie took over for Jim Calhoun following the 2012 season. Despite some NCAA rules violations, Ollie was able to keep together a phenomenal UConn team that included Shabazz Napier, DeAndre Daniels, and Ryan Boatright. While the Huskies did have their struggles throughout the regular season, Ollie was able to light a fire under his team’s belly and channel the experience in them that he knew they had. Ollie led the Huskies to upset after upset beating Villanova, Iowa State, Michigan State, Florida and Kentucky, establishing himself as one of college basketball’s premiere coaches.

Tom Izzo has provided this same thing for the Spartans since his hiring in 1995. He has led the Spartans to 18 consecutive tournaments, during which he has appeared in four Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eight’s, Four Final Fours, one runner-up, and one National championship. Quite the coaching record if you ask me. Izzo leads his team into battle using his experience to guide his players along the road to the Final Four. He puts his dynamic guards in a position for success, always trusting Trice in late game situations, which has been a proven way to win.

These two coaches are some of the best the NCAA has to offer. Their leadership and experience in the NCAA tournament is something every NCAA team wishes for their head coach to have. And they put it to good use, which is seen in their tournament record.

Next: Isolation players are key down the stretch

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