Tom Izzo has never been one to sugarcoat his thoughts - especially when it comes to the state of college basketball. The Hall of Fame Michigan State head coach has made it clear over the years: if he sees something wrong with the game, he’s going to speak on it. And right now, his frustration is boiling over.
At the center of his latest concerns? Eligibility rulings - or, more precisely, the inconsistency and lack of clarity surrounding them. While Izzo has been vocal in the past about the transfer portal and the growing influence of NIL, his focus has recently shifted to what he sees as a troubling trend: the NCAA’s handling of player eligibility, particularly involving former G-League players making midseason returns to college basketball.
This season alone, we’ve seen a handful of eyebrow-raising eligibility decisions. Louisville brought in a G-League player earlier in the year, which drew Izzo’s attention.
Then Baylor followed suit with the addition of James Nnaji - also from the G-League - in the middle of the season. And now, Alabama has added Charles Bediako, a three-year G-League veteran, after a court ruling granted him temporary eligibility.
For a coach like Izzo, who has built his program on continuity, player development, and long-term buy-in, these moves don’t just raise questions - they strike at the very core of what he believes college basketball should be.
Speaking on his weekly radio show, Izzo didn’t hold back.
“It’s the wild wild west,” he said. “Be prepared for anything. I’m gonna keep my guys, I’m gonna keep being different.”
That last part - “keep being different” - is classic Izzo. He’s never been one to follow the crowd, and he’s certainly not about to start now. Even as the college basketball landscape shifts around him, he remains committed to his principles: loyalty to his players, a focus on development, and a refusal to chase trends just because everyone else is doing it.
That doesn’t mean he’s ignoring the realities of the modern game. Izzo acknowledged that he’ll be dipping into the transfer portal this spring - something he’s grown more comfortable with over time, especially as player movement has increased.
But make no mistake: it’s not his preferred route. It’s a response to the current climate, not an embrace of it.
When the transfer portal first exploded in popularity, Izzo was hesitant. He didn’t want to build his roster through quick fixes.
But as players began using it to leave his program, he adapted. He brought in transfers, and yes, some have made a real impact.
But his core philosophy hasn’t changed. He’d still rather develop the players he recruits and keep them in the program for the long haul.
As for the G-League influx, Izzo made his stance crystal clear: he’s not going down that road. Not now, not later. He’s sticking to his approach - building from within, staying loyal to his guys, and doing it the Spartan way.
At a time when college basketball feels more chaotic than ever, Izzo’s message is simple: he’s not chasing trends. He’s not trying to win the offseason headlines.
He’s focused on his team, his culture, and doing things his way - even if that means swimming against the current. And in today’s ever-evolving landscape, that kind of consistency might just be his biggest advantage.