“We have been a second-half team,” an emotional Tom Izzo said after the Michigan State Spartans’ Sweet 16 win over Ole Miss. The team had a knack for wearing down opponents with their grit and never-die attitude. But against the top-seeded Auburn Tigers, it just wasn’t enough.
National Player of the Year co-favorite Johni Broome delivered a monster performance, and Auburn’s stifling defense down the stretch shut down the Spartans’ late surge. In the end, Tom Izzo’s squad fell short, suffering a 70-64 loss.
No. 2 seed Michigan State stayed within striking distance for most of the second half. Broome’s exit made the game a bit easier for the Spartans, as the Tigers’ offense slowed down a bit. But a cringeworthy offensive day for the Spartans’ guards and some tough defensive team plays from the Auburn players doomed their chances of making it to the final four.
With the win, the Tigers’ coach Bruce Pearl settled the score against Tom Izzo. Back in 2010, Izzo’s Spartans sent Pearl’s Tennessee packing at the Elite Eight stage. Moreover, this was Tom Izzo’s first loss to an SEC opponent in the NCAA tournament, after entering the game 10-0 against the conference during March Madness. But there is a silver lining to this loss, if we try to look at the positives.
Despite the heartbreak, Michigan State Spartans’ coach Tom Izzo walked away with a nice bonus from the tournament run. Sports projector Steve highlighted through X: “Michigan State coach Tom Izzo finishes season with $200,000 in bonuses.”
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo finishes season with $200,000 in bonuses. https://t.co/T94MfGu8HX
— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) March 30, 2025
But a focused 70-year-old coach has his mind set on other things. After last season’s early exit, Izzo was devastated and immediately started preparing for the 2024-25 season. “I’m getting back to a deeper run in this tournament, or I’m going to die trying,” Izzo said in the immediate aftermath of the Spartans’ 85-69 loss to the Tar Heels. He has done a remarkable job building an underdog team that takes big bites out of the competition.
After all, the experienced Izzo has seen it all. The longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten Conference has won an NCAA title with Michigan State, eight regional titles, six tournament championships, and 11 regular-season titles in his 30 years with the Spartans. Known for his crazy turnarounds, Izzo has also earned the nickname Mr. March.
March Madness – everyone earns big
College basketball has seen a massive rise in popularity in recent years. Whether it be the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird era or recent blooming cadets, fans are now eager to watch the stars developing and making big names for themselves. While players get a stage to showcase their talents and cement their positions in the drafts, coaches, colleges, and even broadcasters earn a sizeable chunk from the biggest month.
Just like Tom Izzo’s contract earned him more bonuses on deeper runs in the tournament, other coaches receive massive paychecks for their team’s performances. The six to seven-figure amounts sometimes eclipse the actual salary, considering the time spent on the court.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Bryant at Michigan State Mar 21, 2025 Cleveland, OH, USA Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts in the first half against the Bryant University Bulldogs during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Cleveland Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse OH USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250321_szo_aa1_0612
March Madness is vital for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in terms of profits. The men’s tournament brought in more than $900 million in the fiscal year 2024. If we compare this to the NCAA’s complete revenue of $1.38 billion, you do the math.
The conferences then distribute the money among their teams using their own formulas. The number of teams and games played by each conference influences these allocations. In 2024, the total payout for games during the men’s basketball tournament reached approximately $226 million. Broadcasters also reap significant benefits from the 68-team tournament. Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global, which have secured broadcast rights through 2032, pay $891 million annually for the privilege.
Fans aren’t left out of the excitement either. The tournament has become a staple of American pop culture, largely thanks to bracket contests. These competitions offer cash prizes and other rewards to those who successfully predict the outcomes of most games.
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