Izzo calls his roster-building strategy 'right school' not 'old school'

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo knows that some think his roster-building strategy is outdated in today's college basketball, but he applies another term to the approach. "I get called old-school a lot; I think it's right school," Izzo said at Big Ten media days. "I have no interest in thinking this is an old-school way of doing it. We're doing the same things that I did for 25 years, putting the players first, putting relationships over transactions. I don't know what people want, but the relationships to me are going to be very, very important, and I don't plan on changing that." Izzo, who is entering his 32nd season leading Michigan State, has looked at how other teams have built their rosters, joking that he does so "to satisfy my fans." Michigan State's roster includes transfers like center Anton Bonke, who will play for his fourth college program in as many years, but Izzo continues to build around players he recruited, such as guard Jeremy Fears Jr., the Big Ten preseason player of the year. "I look at different options and different ways to do it, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I have 12 new guys," Izzo said. Izzo led MSU to a national title in 2000 and eight Final Four appearances, although he's also in his longest drought without a Final Four, which the Spartans last reached in 2019. In-state rival Michigan in April became the first Big Ten team since Izzo's squad to win a national title, using a roster heavy on transfers. But Izzo is committed to prioritizing "relationships over transactions" and puts his energy into retaining players like Fears and high-flying forward Coen Carr. The 71-year-old doesn't like elements of how college basketball has changed but made it clear he still loves his job. "I'll be here till I die or something," he said.