By Jackson Atoyebi

So…what a Big Ten campaign.  From beginning the year with scrutiny – and you heard talk shows saying the Big Ten’s weak this year, they’d be lucky if they get three teams in the tourney – to getting seven teams in the dance (maybe next year Wildcats), this was an entertaining and surprising year for the Big Ten.  The most surprising part for me is that I am not concluding the Big Ten year complaining about how no one can ever win a big game; in fact, this is not a season recap at all.

Why, you ask? (I know that was cheesy)

Because, as you all know by now (especially if you are following allbigten.com on Twitter and couldn’t watch the game - Twitter username: AllBigTen), Tom Izzo and the Spartans are heading to the Final Four.  They beat the #1 overall seed in the tournament, without much doubt of who the better team on the floor was at that particular time. Michigan State was able to control tempo, play stifling defense, control the boards, and utilize their rock in the middle in Goran Suton.  For once, a Big Ten school is the talk of the nation, for a good reason.

To me, the most remarkable feat in this whole magical run is Tom Izzo and the consistency of his program.  Just look at the numbers: 5 Final Fours in the last 11 years, 8 Sweet 16’s in the past 12 years (trailing only Duke in this category), and a 330-135 overall record over his time at Michigan State.  Must I go on?

The best part, and what should be noted, is he does this with mostly home grown talent who stay in the program.  You want to win now, next year at the latest; recruit kids that have their eyes set on the NBA.  You want to build a tradition… you follow the Tom Izzo formula.  Hopefully, this will bring the accomplishments, both his and of his program, to the national spotlight, for good.