Tom Izzo’s been vocal lately about the shifting landscape of college basketball - and not in a “change is good” kind of way. Just over a month ago, he raised eyebrows when Baylor added a former G-League player to its roster.
Then came Alabama’s pursuit of Charles Bediako, a three-year G-League vet who had once played alongside Michigan State’s Jaden Akins. That move didn’t just push boundaries - it bulldozed them.
Alabama went as far as taking the NCAA to court over Bediako’s eligibility. The NCAA ruled him ineligible, but a local judge - who happened to be an Alabama booster - granted a restraining order that allowed Bediako to join the Crimson Tide immediately. Just like that, a player who had been suiting up for the Motor City Cruise was back in college basketball.
It was a moment that left purists like Izzo shaking their heads, and for good reason. This wasn’t just about one player - it was about the precedent. If G-Leaguers could bounce back into college programs midseason, what guardrails were left?
But on Monday, the tide turned - quite literally.
An Alabama judge ruled that Bediako would be ineligible for the remainder of the season. His return to college basketball is over after just five games.
And while Alabama went 3-2 in that stretch, it wasn’t exactly a defensive renaissance with Bediako back in the fold. The 6-foot-11 center brought size and flashes of production - averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks - but the Crimson Tide still gave up 90-plus points in three of those five games.
Simply put, he didn’t fix what was broken.
For Izzo, this ruling has to feel like a rare win in a battle he’s been fighting for years. The Michigan State head coach has long said he loves coaching but hates what the profession has become - a revolving door of transfers, NIL negotiations, and now, G-League veterans re-entering the college game. This decision doesn’t solve everything, but it does offer a glimmer of hope that some structure still exists.
The NCAA didn’t make the ruling - that was up to the Alabama courts - but the organization did publicly praise the decision, calling it a “common sense” move. Alabama head coach Nate Oats, on the other hand, wasn’t thrilled. He’s been outspoken in his belief that Bediako should’ve been allowed to play, and he’s clearly frustrated by the outcome.
But don’t expect Izzo to offer a shoulder to cry on. He’s not in the business of consoling coaches who are, in his eyes, contributing to the chaos. While Oats has made his stance clear, Izzo is standing on the other side of the line - trying to protect what’s left of the college game as we knew it.
This isn’t just about one player or one ruling. It’s about the future of college basketball. And for now, at least, the game took a step back toward sanity.