by JM Van Horn

Created on: April 13, 2009

When it comes to men's college basketball, Michigan State's Tom Izzo is one of the most underrated coaches despite being one of the most successful coaches in the modern era. The media can never talk enough about certain coaches, like Duke's coach, Mike Krzyzewski, or Syracuse's Jim Boeheim. Meanwhile they barely speak about Izzo and Michigan State unless the Spartans make a run in the NCAA tournament.

Since taking over in 1995 as head coach of Michigan State, Izzo has compiled a 335 136 overall record, which translates into a .711 winning percentage. When you compare the winning percentage of both coaches during the last 10 years between Izzo and Coach K, you see that Coach K has more wins with 291 and a .829 winning percentage while Izzo 238 wins, resulting in a slightly lower .795 winning percentage.

Tom Izzo's 305 wins he secured with Michigan State during his first 13years is 7th most in the history of college basketball. Coach K was able to garner 248 wins during the first 13 years of his career that started in 1975. When it comes to conference play, the record of both coaches is close as well. Each coach has won five regular season conference records since 1999. Coach K holds an edge by winning 6 ACC tournaments while Izzo has only won 2 Big Ten tournaments in the same time frame.

Izzo's success carries over from the regular season to the NCAA tournament, where Michigan State has been invited to the dance for 12 straight seasons. During that time, Izzo has coached the Spartans to an impressive .722 winning percentage during the tournament. In the tournament, Izzo has been able to advance to the Sweet Sixteen or further 6of those times. Four of those trips have ended with Michigan State appearing in the Final Four.

When you look at Duke's performance in the NCAA tournament under Coach K in the last 10 years, they have been able to advance to the Sweet Sixteen 8 times. The Blue Devils have been able to advance to the Final Four only 2 times. As for national championships, both teams have been able to earn one title since 1999.

By no means am I saying Tom Izzo is a better coach, head and shoulders above, Coach K, but the race is closer than most people would expect. Part of it has to do with Izzo coaching at Michigan State, which is not one of the glamorous colleges in the country. Where as Coach K has their own media outlet, ESPN, who constantly talks about the Duke when men's college basketball season beings.

To take this a step further lets look at Izzo's .756 winning percentage (31-10 record) in the NCAA tournament. Currently it ranks ranks third among all active coaches with 10 or more games coached:

1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke, 72-22 (.766)

2. Billy Donovan, Florida, 22-7 (.759)

3. Tom Izzo, Michigan State, 31-10 (.756)

4. Rick Pitino, Louisville, 37-12 (.755)

5. Roy Williams, North Carolina, 52-17 (.754)

Despite the success Tom Izzo has seen on and off the field, there are times when his program is overlooked in favor of the other schools who have achieved less. In the end, Tom Izzo should go down as one of the top men's college basketball coaches during the modern era.

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