MSU's Izzo Acknowledges Longtime Purdue Coach, Keady

Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo has led his Spartans to eight Final Fours. While making just one can be a rare achievement, becoming accustomed to taking a trip to the semifinals can make it difficult to accept when you don't.

Izzo said not being in the Final Four this year was "really tough" when he joined "The Dan Patrick Show" on Friday, the day before the men's Final Four games,

"That's why I'm here talking to you [Dan Patrick] instead of doing it," Izzo said. "But yeah, I mean, I've had the privilege of going eight times, and let me tell you, that is a privilege.

"And I just talked to [former Purdue men's basketball coach] Gene Keady yesterday. I called him to congratulate him on Matt Painter. And the Keady-[Jud] Heathcote, Painter-Izzo thing -- it's all been part of the tree.

"And Gene was so excited, and I always say, boy, I am the luckiest guy in the world because I think he was one of the great coaches in America, never even touched the Final Four. I think he went to one Elite Eight, and he's one of the best. So, it's hard to watch, but I'm privileged that I've got to play in it."

Keady served as the Boilermakers' head coach for 25 years, leading Purdue to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the Elite Eight. He won seven Big Ten Coach of the Year awards during his tenure.

The Hall-of-Fame coach is now succeeded by Painter, who has led his Purdue team to its first national championship trip since 1969.

Painter gave praise to Keady after Purdue clinched its trip to the Final Four with its Elite Eight win over Tennessee, which Keady was in attendance for.

"To be a Hall-of-Fame coach and all that he accomplished and all the people that he helped, wasn't able to get to the Final Four," Painter said when he joined "The Ride with JMV" last week. "So, for him to be a part of that -- this is his program. Let's not mess it up.

"He did so much for Purdue, he did so much for our community and for our basketball program. So, for him to be able to experience that with us and our playuers and our fans, that was really cool. One of the highlights of my career to be able to share that with him."

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