The Evolution of Tom Izzo

INDIANAPOLIS – When Zachary Hicks got to Northern Michigan from Detroit Southeastern to play basketball in the fall of 1974, he quickly learned about obsession.

A 5-foot-9 sophomore point guard named Tom Izzo taught him. Izzo attacked every practice drill, fought through every screen, approached every game like it was the most important he’d ever played, and eventually turned his meager physical gifts into All-America honors.

Izzo’s fire was overwhelming at times, Hicks said, but he also managed to be a friend to everyone on the team. He was funny and engaging when he wasn’t competing.

“The most intense individual I’ve ever met,” said Hicks, who is now in his 23rd year as founder and pastor of Faith Clinic Church of God in Christ in Detroit. “Loved to win, hated to lose and would not accept anything but your maximum effort. But off the court? The guy would give you his shirt. Polar opposite. We loved him, man.” - Read more at Freep.com