Tom Izzo explains the 'bad blood' with Michigan, and it is actually pretty hilarious

The Big Ten is having a moment. Six of the 16 teams playing into the second week of the NCAA Tournament hail from this conference. While Michigan State had its challenges with Michigan earlier in the season, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo still wants another crack at the Wolverines for some reason. All the while, Dusty May has his team gearing up for its first national title in over a generation.

Izzo was asked by Kay Adams on Up & Adams when it comes to rooting for Michigan moving forward.

"Maybe this much? Maybe I'd like another shot at them. They beat us pretty good both times. Right now, the Big Ten has really been on a roll ... It's been a pretty good run for the Big Ten in general. The good news is if I got a shot at Michigan again, that means I'm in the Final Four, and how could it be better than that?"

He answered Adams' follow-up question with how much bad blood there is between these two rivals.

"Well, it's always gotta be bad blood. I always say it like this. Do you want me to like my wife's old boyfriend? That's un-American. You can't do that! You can't love your rival, but John Belein and I had a great thing going. Great respect for one another. I'm sure that'll work out as you go. I'm sure Mike [Krzyzewski] and Roy [Williams] had that."

Izzo continued to ram home the point about rooting for your wife's ex-boyfriend to have success.

"You respect your opponent, but if anybody tells you they like their rival, then ask them if they like your wife's ex-boyfriend. It just doesn't work out. There's no way that happens."

And when asked about the very tense and curt handshake he had with May, Izzo offered this zinger.

"I mean what do you want me to do? Hug and kiss him?"

Here is everything Izzo said to Adams about Michigan while appearing on Up & Adams on Tuesday.

Clearly, Michigan is and always will be in Izzo's head. No wonder he has not won more national titles...

Tom Izzo equates rooting for Michigan like rooting on your partner's ex

Honestly, the comparison of viewing your rival like your partner's ex is actually pretty spot-on. Good job, Coach! What is interesting in Izzo's commentary to Adams about how he views Michigan is this. He does not seem to have the same level of respect for May as he did John Beilein from yesteryear. Izzo talks glowingly about the former Michigan head coach, but is not yet ready to give May his due.

With rumors swirling about if May would leave for another job, look for him to make Izzo respect him by the end of the season. Izzo said the only opportunity Michigan State could have another crack at Michigan would be in the Final Four. That is assuming they both win their respective regions. Michigan State will need to get past UConn and either Duke or St. John's first to cut down the nets in the East.

As far as the Wolverines are concerned, their pathway to the Final Four is a bit more manageable out of the Midwest. They will need to beat Alabama in Chicago first, before playing either Iowa State or Tennessee in the regional final. Although the Big Ten is having a moment, you can only celebrate your conference opponents having success only so much. Maybe these rivals meet again for a third time?

With Michigan and Michigan State on opposite sides of the bracket, it would have to be in the final...