Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says he gets called old-school for his roster-building approach, but he prefers to describe it as "right school." Speaking at Big Ten media days, Izzo said his strategy has not changed in 25 years: putting players first and putting relationships over transactions. "I have no interest in thinking this is an old-school way of doing it," he said.
Izzo, entering his 32nd season leading Michigan State, has studied how other teams build their rosters, joking that he does so "to satisfy my fans." The Spartans do include transfers, such as center Anton Bonke, who will play for his fourth college program in as many years. Still, Izzo continues to build around players he recruited, including guard Jeremy Fears Jr., the Big Ten preseason player of the year. "It'll be a cold day in hell before I have 12 new guys," he said.
Izzo led Michigan State to a national title in 2000 and eight Final Four appearances. However, the Spartans have not reached the Final Four since 2019, their longest drought under Izzo. In-state rival Michigan won the national title in April with a roster heavy on transfers, becoming the first Big Ten team since Izzo's squad to do so.
At 71, Izzo remains committed to retaining players like Fears and forward Coen Carr. He said he dislikes some elements of how college basketball has changed but still loves his job. "I'll be here till I die or something," he said.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing