At one point during his search for a new head coach, sources say Flip Saunders thought he had convinced Tom Izzo to take the job with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Izzo has also been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers' job over the years, but he's ultimately always remained at Michigan State.

Saunders decided to take the head coaching job himself after being unable to agree to terms with Izzo and Dave Joerger.