In an era of college basketball increasingly shaped by dollars, deals, and the ever-churning transfer portal, two coaching legends are still doing it their way. Tom Izzo and Greg Kampe, with more than 70 combined years at the helm of their respective programs, continue to lead with a foundation built on relationships, loyalty, and a deep respect for the game-and for each other.
Saturday afternoon’s matchup between Michigan State and Oakland at Little Caesars Arena wasn’t just another non-conference game. It was the latest chapter in one of college basketball’s most enduring friendships. And while the Spartans walked away with their 23rd straight win over the Golden Grizzlies, 79-70, the real story was what happened before the tip, during the game, and especially after the final buzzer.
A Rivalry Rooted in Respect
Izzo and Kampe don’t just coach against each other-they celebrate the occasion. This year, they showed up in matching holiday sweaters, a now-annual tradition that fans have come to expect.
Izzo’s sweater, courtesy of his wife Lupe, featured a cartoon of him jawing with referees and a “naughty list” label. Kampe’s version?
A smiling coach surrounded by officials, comfortably on the “nice list.”
“I hardly said a word to the officials today, and he was crazy,” Izzo joked. “I absolutely love that. He’s fighting for his guys, and rightfully so.”
Kampe, true to form, didn’t stay on the “nice list” for long. After a handful of questionable foul calls, he let the officials hear it. But even in the heat of the moment, the humor and camaraderie between the two coaches never wavered.
Postgame Podcast Vibes
Once the game ended, Izzo began his postgame press conference in typical fashion-until Kampe burst through the doors and turned the media session into what felt more like a live podcast between two old friends. Reporters tossed out questions, but the coaches turned them into conversations, riffing on everything from officiating to the state of college basketball.
One topic hit particularly close to home: the transfer portal. Both coaches were candid about the challenges it brings, especially for mid-major programs like Oakland. Kampe has seen his players lured away by bigger schools, and Izzo didn’t shy away from calling out the poaching culture that’s taken root in the sport.
“We are absolutely poaching our own players,” Izzo said. “And he better hear me when I say that because it is the truth. It’ll never happen here, and I’m grateful for it.”
Izzo even admitted to calling Oakland players in the past-not to recruit them, but to encourage them to stay put. That’s the kind of respect he has for Kampe and the program he’s built.
A Program Built on Grit
Kampe’s résumé speaks for itself: four Horizon League titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances, and a signature win over Kentucky in 2024. With a 721-562 career record over 42 seasons, he’s the NCAA’s longest-tenured head coach. He’s been inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the American Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Bowling Green State University Athletics Hall of Fame, where he once starred as a two-sport athlete.
This year’s Oakland squad has faced a brutal non-conference schedule, taking on four top-10 teams in the AP poll. They’ve come up short in those games, but Kampe believes the experience has toughened his group and sharpened their edge.
“Great coaches are going to win the coaching battle, they’re going to win the rebounding battle, and they’re going to make shots,” Kampe said. “On the nights they make shots, they can beat anyone in this country.”
Against Michigan State, Oakland’s offense showed flashes of that potential. The Golden Grizzlies shot 45% from three-point range-easily their best mark of the season-thanks to three players knocking down multiple threes.
Through Christmas, they’re averaging 83 points per game while shooting 35% from deep. That’s a dangerous combo when it clicks.
Izzo’s Spartans Lean on Muscle
But Michigan State found a way to grind it out. The Spartans dominated the glass, out-rebounding Oakland 42-26, flexing the kind of physicality that’s become a staple of Izzo’s teams. MSU continues to rank second in the nation in rebounding margin-a stat that’s less flashy but often tells the story of who controls the game.
Junior forward Coen Carr was a force, dropping a career-high 22 points and making his presence felt on both ends. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler added his third straight double-double with 13 points and 13 boards, showing just how deep and balanced this Spartan squad can be.
A Game That Means More
The game drew 15,789 fans-packing Little Caesars Arena beyond the capacity of MSU’s own Breslin Center. Izzo took notice.
“What I’m really thankful for and proud of is the crowds it draws,” he said. “There were a lot of Michigan State people, but there were a lot of Oakland people, too, and that’s what makes the game worth it.”
For players like Carr, the annual sweater tradition and the bond between coaches isn’t just a gimmick-it’s a reminder of what makes college basketball special.
“They always have their little sweaters going on and everything,” Carr said. “Just for them to have something like that is cool.”
Two Coaches, One Shared Legacy
Izzo and Kampe may run different systems-Izzo’s all man-to-man, Kampe’s all zone-but they share a core philosophy: build programs with toughness, integrity, and loyalty. Both describe their teams as “blue-collar,” and it’s clear that identity comes straight from the top.
“We’re kind of kissing each other’s tail a little bit here, but it’s legit,” Izzo said. “It’s just a respect thing.”
They’ve each carved out their own path, but together, they’ve created something bigger than wins and losses. In a sport that’s changing fast, their friendship-and the annual MSU-Oakland matchup-remains a steady reminder of what college basketball can still be about: competition, connection, and mutual respect that transcends the scoreboard.