Tom Izzo joined “The Herd" to discuss the importance of continuity ahead of Michigan State's NCAA Tournament opener on Friday.

Tom Izzo has shown unparalleled loyalty to Michigan State as the school's head basketball coach. Izzo initially joined the program as an assistant coach in 1983, a position he held for 12 years before becoming the head coach in 1995.

Beyond the good memories, Izzo will see plenty of familiar faces in Cleveland. He has become good friends over the years with Phil Martelli — the longtime head coach at Saint Joseph’s and recently, an assistant at Michigan. Martelli’s son, Phil Martelli Jr., is the head coach of Bryant.