Izzo gave Hurley advice after Lakers’ offer in 2024

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Tom Izzo you’ve gotten turned down a number of alternatives to educate in the NBAtogether with with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.

When the Los Angeles Lakers had been prepared to provide UConn coach Dan Hurley $70 million, six-year contract In 2024, Hurley requested Izzo for advice.

“I told him to seriously look at it because I could see where college basketball was going,” Izzo informed The Associated Press on Monday. “But I said, I would hate to lose him because I think he’s all that is right about college basketball. He cares about the kids. He cares about the game. He has to care about the game because of his dad.”

Bob Hurley Sr. gained greater than two dozen state championships at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, growing dozens of Division I school gamers.

Izzo and third-seeded Michigan State will face Hurley and the second-seeded Huskies in Washington on Friday evening in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The 53-year-old Hurley, who’s in his eighth season at UConn, gained consecutive nationwide championships in 2023-24. He is 17-5 in the NCAA Tournament, profitable 77.3% of video games to rank No. 1 amongst lively coaches and fourth all time amongst coaches with at the very least 15 video games.

The 71-year-old Izzo has earned a file 28 consecutive bids to March Madness and gained an NCAA title in 2000 — the final by a Big Ten staff — in one among his eight Final Four appearances throughout his Hall of Fame profession.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness