Tom Izzo and Richard Pitino will put their mutual admiration on hold for March Madness meeting

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to an official in the first half of a game against Bryant in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to an official in the first half of a game against Bryant in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)


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CLEVELAND — Even though their teams haven't faced each other in four years, the admiration between Michigan State's Tom Izzo and New Mexico's Richard Pitino has not diminished. Their regard for each other will be put on hold for a couple of hours on Sunday night, when Izzo and Michigan State take on Pitino and New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Izzo befriended Pitino during the younger coach's eight-year tenure at Minnesota. Izzo thought the son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino made progress toward building a competitive program in the Big Ten.

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