Michigan State coach Tom Izzo (left) greets Nebraska coach Tim Miles last season in East Lansing, Mich.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOHow, after Nebraska came out of nowhere to make the NCAA Tournament in 2014, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo called him up to let him know just how difficult the next season would be.
Izzo knew expectations would change. He knew teams would come after the Huskers like they hadn't previously. He knew how things would just be different.
They were, of course. The Huskers went through three straight losing seasons after that run, finally pulling out of the tailspin with last year's 22-11 record.