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Tom Izzo—in his 30th season as the head men's basketball coach for Michigan State University—made his 16th appearance in the Sweet 16 round of the 2025 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.

The Spartans (2) defeated Ole Miss (6)—coming back in the second half to win 73-70—and are now headed to the Elite 8 to face Auburn (1). Leading scorers for MSU were Jase Richardson (20), Coen Carr (15) and Jaden Akins (13).

How successful has Izzo been over the years in the Sweet 16? Below is his overall wins/losses. If you’re a Spartan fan, scrolling through this list is also a walk down memory lane.

Tom Izzo Sweet 16 appearances:
1998: Lost to North Carolina, 73-58
1999: Defeated Oklahoma, 54-46
2000: Defeated Syracuse, 75-58
2001: Defeated Gonzaga, 77-62
2003: Defeated Maryland, 60-58
2005: Defeated Duke, 78-68
2008: Lost to Memphis, 92-74
2009: Defeated Kansas, 67-62
2010: Defeated Northern Iowa, 59-52
2012: Lost to Louisville, 57-44
2013: Lost to Duke, 71-61
2014: Defeated Virginia, 61-59
2015: Defeated Oklahoma, 62-58
2019: Defeated LSU, 80-63
2023: Lost to Kansas State, 98-93 OT
2025: Defeated Ole Miss, 73-70
Overall record: 11-5

With so many great games, it’s hard to single out just one. However, there is one that stands out to West Michigan fans. March 25, 2005—the day Tom Izzo's Spartans defeated top-seeded Duke for the first time ever—winning 78-68 to move on to the Final Four.

Jase Richardson currently wears #11 for the Spartans. Who was wearing #11 in the Sweet 16 game against Duke in 2005? None other than Wyoming Park alumni, Drew Neitzel. 

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Neitzel, a 2004 graduated from Wyoming Park High School in Wyoming, Michigan, holds the high school career records for points (2,462) and assists (692). While also ranking second in the state in assists and sixth in scoring.

An ambidextrous player, Drew could shoot with his right or left hand. His highest scoring record for a single game in high school was against Hudsonville in 2003 when he scored 57 points. Neitzel received many honors and awards throughout his career, one being right out of high school as Michigan’s Mr. Basketball for 2004.

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Looking back twenty-one years ago—if you grew up in West Michigan and loved watching basketball, I’m sure you remember those game nights. Standing room only. A sold-out gymnasium full of past and present students. The entire community packing every nook and cranny at Wyoming Park to cheer on the varsity team and watch Neitzel play his last year as a Viking. That year Park went on to play in the Class B State Championship at the Breslin Center against Detroit Renaissance, DeWitt—coming up short as Runner’s Up (61–42).

Fast forward to later in 2004 when Neitzel started his college basketball career at MSU he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshmen Team. Taking a look at his career stats (2004–2008), this was just the start of his amazing journey as a Spartan. Another memorable game was in 2007 when Neitzel scored 28 points to lead the way in a 64-55 win over Wisconsin.

Being a key part of a pivotal game—whether it’s defeating Duke for the first time or clearing the stands against Wisconsin—I would say is also just as sweet.

On to the Elite 8.

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^{Photo credit (top): Instagram @michiganstatebasketball}