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March Madness: 5 coaches who could make leap to NBA

By Josh Barnhill

Jan 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts to an officials call during the first half of a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts to an officials call during the first half of a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half of the first round against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half of the first round against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Tom Izzo

Why not ease the disappointment of a bad opening round loss with a jump to the NBA?

Michigan State was a borderline No. 1 seed, but instead ended up being one of the few No. 2 seeds in history to be upset in the first round when they lost to Middle Tennessee.

This year is not a representation of Tom Izzo’s NCAA Tournament success, however, as he’s done extremely well for many years.

As the coach at MSU since the 1996 season, Izzo has now taken the Spartans to the big dance for 19 straight seasons. After a couple of years rebuilding in the NIT, he hit the Sweet 16 in 1998, Final Four in 1999 and won it all in 2000.

Since then he has yet to win another national championship, but his incredible seven Final Four appearances stand as proof he really knows what he’s doing.

Coach Izzo is 61 years old. Now may be the time to leave Michigan State and test the NBA waters. If he doesn’t do it now, he may be deemed too old for the transition.

Next: No. 4

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