Michigan State coach Tom Izzo once coached at the Division II level, but it appears he's no fan of the underdog.
At least, that's the way it came across at his pre-NCAA Tournament press conference, when Izzo implied changes need to be made to who qualifies for the Big Dance each March. Along the way, Izzo seemed to question whether teams from mid-major conferences deserve automatic bids for winning their conference tourneys.
"I just think what's happening now, everybody likes the upsets in the first weekend, but I'm not sure moving on that's what's best for the game," Izzo told reporters, via Outkick. "I think it's got to be looked at seriously."
Izzo and Michigan State tipped off Thursday vs. Mississippi State. The Spartans entered with the No. 9 seed in their region.
By allowing teams from the non-power leagues, Izzo suggested, you're punishing teams that have had a so-called tougher conference schedule.
"I feel for some teams that didn't get in when you have those automatic bids," he said. "I'm not sure I understand why, but the conference tournament things, you can go, and like Purdue, go 17-3 and dominate the conference then lose. It's OK if it's the second-place team, but I think that makes it hard, why some teams will get left out."
That said, there have been plenty of mid-majors who advanced all the way to the Elite Eight or Final Four in recent seasons — including Loyola of Chicago in 2018 as a No. 11 seed. And mid-majors pulling off upsets log has been part of the tourney's appeal.
Izzo, however, doesn't seem to think so.
"I don't know if something could be fixed there. But then the conference tournament wouldn't be as — it's all about what is best for the financial part of it, if we were to be very blunt and honest with you, more than it is the player and teams," he said.
