Tom Izzo isn’t hiding what he likes about this Michigan State roster. He likes the shape of it, the mix of it and, just as importantly, the way it was built.
At a time when college basketball has leaned hard into the transfer portal and quick roster turnarounds, Izzo is still leaning on the old-school route. Michigan State added only one player through the portal this offseason, senior center Anton Bonke from Charlotte. The rest of the rebuild came through high school recruiting, and Izzo made it clear that’s still the model he trusts most.
“I just love the way we are doing it,” Izzo said. “I still believe in it; I’m not saying there aren’t more ways to do it because there are.
I’m not against paying players; the amount, I am against. I am not against the transfer portal; the number of times, I am.
I really believe that the way we are doing it is pretty good.”
That approach helped Michigan State answer the loss of five players from last season, including three departures to graduation and two to the transfer portal. The Spartans brought in the No. 7-ranked recruiting class in the country, Izzo’s highest-ranked class since the No. 5-ranked 2023 group.
The freshman class comes with a little bit of everything. Carlos Medlock Jr. gives MSU a smaller, pass-first point guard with scoring upside.
Jasiah Jervis arrives as a scoring wing with on-ball creation upside. Julius Avent brings a physical forward who can play multiple positions.
Ethan Taylor is the tall, lanky play finisher who can impact both ends.
“I love the freshmen we are bringing in and love the fact that there is some excitement,” Izzo said. “Freshmen still have to eat last. What do you do if you have a whole team of transfers?”
Michigan State’s roster now sits at 12 scholarship players, blending youth, talent and experience. The Spartans return three starters, including captains Coen Carr, a senior forward, and Jeremy Fears Jr., a junior guard. With the freshmen in the mix, Izzo expects a rotation that goes deeper than what many teams use.
"I think we are definitely going to play more than the eight players that maybe most teams play," Izzo said. "Hopefully we got a little bit of everything: a little more size, a little more shooting, a little bit more with the guards, a little bit more experience and the same old coach, but everything else is good."
The summer also brought a new eligibility rule that opened the door for former Spartans Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper to return. Kohler ultimately joined BYU in August for his fifth year of college basketball.
Izzo said he appreciates the part of the rule that removes NCAA eligibility decisions from the equation, though he also sees the impact on players still in high school.
“We find a way to change the goalposts; we move them like every week,” Izzo said. “I don’t know if I am a fan of the rule or not.
What I am a fan of is no more NCAA decisions on eligibility. You get your five years until somebody challenges it, I suppose.
If they stick to that, then I think it is a good rule. What I feel bad about is the juniors and seniors in high school this year.
We are a very selfish world, and we don’t think everybody deserves a chance.”
Michigan State opens its season with an exhibition game Oct. 2 against Incarnate Word.
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Jeremy Fears Jr. Just Got A Michigan State Spotlight Like Never Before
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