Izzo defends 'right school' roster approach at Michigan State — SkimNews
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- Tom Izzo, entering his 32nd season leading Michigan State, told Big Ten media days that he considers his approach 'right school' rather than 'old-school,' saying he puts 'relationships over transactions' using the same methods he has for 25 years.
- Izzo quipped it'll be 'a cold day in hell before I have 12 new guys,' as Michigan State's roster includes transfer center Anton Bonke — who will play for his fourth college program in as many years — alongside recruits like guard Jeremy Fears Jr., named the Big Ten preseason player of the year.
- Izzo has led Michigan State to a 2000 national title and eight Final Four appearances, but is now in his longest drought without a Final Four after the Spartans last reached the semifinal in 2019.
- In-state rival Michigan became the first Big Ten team since Izzo's squad to win a national title in April, doing so with a roster heavy on transfers — a model Izzo said he examines 'to satisfy my fans' but has no plans to emulate.
- Izzo, 71, said he still loves the job and plans to keep coaching, telling reporters, 'I'll be here till I die or something,' even as he acknowledged disliking certain changes in college basketball.
- Izzo highlighted retaining homegrown talent like Fears and high-flying forward Coen Carr as central to his philosophy, prioritizing player development over roster turnover.
Why it matters: Izzo's explicit refusal to overhaul his approach puts Michigan State at odds with the transfer-driven model that just delivered a national title to in-state rival Michigan, raising the stakes on whether 'right school' relationships can still win championships in a sport that has moved toward transactional roster building.
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