It was an emotional night for Tom Izzo and the Michigan State basketball team. It didn't come easy, but the Spartans reached the Elite 8 of March Madness with an epic comeback over Ole Miss on Friday night.

Ahead of Sunday's Elite Eight contest, here's everything Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said about facing Auburn basketball.

Tom Izzo is crying. In a college basketball world that has become overrun by NIL and the transfer portal, Michigan State’s iconic coach had plenty of love for the team he has built over multiple years after punching a ticket to the Elite Eight.

During his media session on Saturday, Tom Izzo said two Spartans are going to get an increase in minutes on Sunday against Auburn

For the 16th time during his 30 seasons as head coach of Michigan State basketball, Tom Izzo and his Spartans have advanced to the Sweet 16 round of March Madness. Izzo and his teams are 10-5 in Sweet 16 play of the NCAA tournament, and their victories include a 75-58 win over Syracuse on their way to a national championship in 2000.

Michigan State (29-6) is in the midst of its 27th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the longest active streak in the country. At age 70, Izzo has the Spartans in the Sweet 16 for the 16th time in his three-decade-long career.

Tom Izzo reacted to Michigan State advancing to the Elite Eight after beating Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Auburn is the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, but their head coach says Michigan State is a blue blood and the Tigers "know their place."