Izzo Urges Former Assistant to "Win the Freaking Game" for NCAA Bid

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo gives heartfelt advice to Mark Montgomery ahead of Detroit Mercy's Horizon League title game

Mar. 10, 2026 at 6:28pm

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Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo is rooting for his former long-time assistant coach Mark Montgomery, who is now the head coach of the University of Detroit Mercy. Izzo gave Montgomery some personal advice ahead of Detroit Mercy's Horizon League championship game, simply telling him to "win the freaking game" in order to earn an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2012.

Why it matters

Izzo's close relationship with Montgomery, who played for him at Michigan State, shows the tight-knit nature of the college basketball coaching community. Izzo is invested in seeing his former assistant succeed and reach the NCAA Tournament, which he says can be a career-defining accomplishment even for "damn good coaches" who may never get that chance.

The details

Montgomery has been the head coach of the University of Detroit Mercy since 2011. His Titans team is set to play in the Horizon League championship game against Wright State, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Izzo, who has led Michigan State to the NCAA Tournament 24 times, told Montgomery in a personal conversation to simply "win the freaking game" in order to reach the Big Dance.

  • The Horizon League championship game is tonight, March 10, 2026.

The players

Tom Izzo

The longtime head basketball coach of the Michigan State Spartans, who has led the program to 8 Final Four appearances and 1 national championship.

Mark Montgomery

The head basketball coach of the University of Detroit Mercy Titans, who previously served as an assistant coach under Izzo at Michigan State for 10 seasons.

University of Detroit Mercy

A Division I basketball program that competes in the Horizon League conference, seeking its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012.

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What they’re saying

“I gave him some today. It was deep, it was personal and I'm going to tell you: 'Hey Monty, win the freaking the game tonight.'”

— Tom Izzo, Head Basketball Coach, Michigan State Spartans

What’s next

If the University of Detroit Mercy wins the Horizon League championship game, they will earn an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Tom Izzo's heartfelt advice to his former assistant Mark Montgomery shows the close relationships and deep investment college basketball coaches have in seeing their protégés succeed, even at rival programs. Reaching the NCAA Tournament can be a career-defining accomplishment, and Izzo is pulling for Montgomery to lead Detroit Mercy there for the first time in over a decade.