Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is heading to his 16th Sweet 16 and stands as a veteran from college basketball’s old guard. Though he has adapted to changes like NIL and the new freedoms in the transfer portal, Izzo is increasingly frustrated with the NCAA’s management.
When a reporter inquired about how the Spartans are handling the transfer portal’s opening while prepping for Ole Miss, it sparked a tense reaction from Izzo. In a heated, 10-minute response, he criticized the reporter, the NCAA, and even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
“I think it’s ridiculous that the NCAA or any other entity put these two things together that people like you have to ask these questions,” Izzo remarked. “And I value that you have to ask them, and I do get upset when people are talking to our kids about them.”
Guided by freshman standout Jase Richardson, the Spartans secured the Big Ten regular season title and convincingly defeated Bryant and New Mexico to reach the Sweet 16.
After a lengthy preamble, Izzo eventually stated that his primary concern is the team’s upcoming game, suggesting it should also be the players’ focus. He added, “Kids gotta do what they gotta do. And they’re really not doing what they gotta do, they’re doing what their parents or their agents are telling them to do. Because they’ve still gotta go to practice, be in the same locker room unless they leave the team. And I think that’s insane, I think it’s disgusting… We will always have an eye on the transfer portal.”
Addressing the reporter, Izzo expressed his frustration and suggested other figures in college basketball who embrace the portal might provide more amenable answers. “I’m going to apologize to you, but I am ticked off that you just asked me that right now, because I think that you just cheated me,” he stated. “So if I keep talking, I cheat my players. And I’ll cheat myself before I’ll cheat my players. If you’ve got another question about the transfer portal, I can lift you a lot of schools you can call and ask them. They’ll probably have a better opinion.”
Before moving on to the next question during the 40-minute press conference, Izzo took a jab at the First Take star and his intrusive interview style. While he wished local media knew him well enough to avoid provoking him, he acknowledged their tendency to challenge him. “I think you should know me well enough,” he said, adding, “But I learned from Stephen A. and some a**holes, you have the right to ask the question.”
Izzo’s impassioned response highlights his deep love for his players and the essence of coaching amid growing exhaustion. He criticized the NCAA for sidelining head coaches’ voices during committee discussions, underscoring his belief that parents and agents are manipulating college athletes. As the college basketball season intensifies, Izzo’s frustrations are particularly palpable.
