Tom Izzo was able to get Michigan State to the Sweet 16 for the 15th time in his 28 seasons at the school as the 7-seed Spartans upset 2-seed Marquette 69-60 on Sunday.
While Izzo has become accustomed to success in East Lansing, this win hit differently.
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Izzo was visibly emotional and had tears in his eyes during his postgame interview with Jamie Erdahl on the CBS broadcast. Naturally, Erdahl asked what was bringing the veteran coach to tears.
"It's been a long year," the 68-year-old Izzo said. "But really proud of those guys. They've hung in there."
Coach Izzo is moved to tears after @MSU_Basketball secured a spot in the Sweet 16 ❤️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/wKY7D0ioca
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It has been a trying year for the Michigan State community. On Feb. 13, a mass shooting on campus left three people dead and five wounded. Izzo was front and center in the wake of the tragedy. He delivered a speech at a vigil days after the shooting and called for political unity against gun violence.
Izzo has spoken often about the role the basketball team has played in the healing process. His most notable comments came Feb. 21, the date of the team's first home game after the shooting.
MORE: Michigan pays tribute to Michigan State shooting victims
"I swear to you, I was just happy for our people; I really was. I was happy for our team, but I was happier for our students," Izzo said after Michigan State's 80-65 victory over Indiana. "You know, some of them are scared to go back into the classroom. Some of them are worried about going into the dorm. I tried to walk the campus today…
"I just want to make people feel comfortable. And I thought here’s one two-hour period where maybe they forgot about all the things that they’ve had to deal with, and they got a chance to enjoy."
And that’s what sports sometimes can do; it doesn’t take away all the pain, but it’s like a little aspirin, maybe for a couple of hours. So, I was just thinking of those people, and I just kept looking up at that top row.
The Michigan State campus has continued to heal in the month since the shooting, and Izzo believes his team continues to play a role.
As such, it's easy to understand why the opportunity to play in the Sweet 16 again means so much to him.
And beyond the greater meaning of Michigan State's NCAA Tournament run, he is glad to see his team enjoying success.
"My assistants did a hell of a job," Izzo said when asked about how Michigan State prepared to face Marquette. "Kids were focused, did a hell of a job. Everybody had some fun doing it. I just can't tell you how excited I am for them."
Izzo and Michigan State will look to continue their championship push when they face off against Kansas State in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats knocked off Kentucky, another blue-blood program with a legendary coach, on Sunday and are the highest seed remaining in the wide-open East Region at No. 3.