1. **Sweet 16 Victory Amid High Praise**
In March 2025, Tom Izzo led the second-seeded Spartans to a nail-biting **73-70 victory** over sixth-seeded Ole Miss in the NCAA Sweet 16. The game, played in Atlanta, saw Ole Miss build an early 10-point lead, but Michigan State rallied with critical plays from Jaden Akins and Tre Holloman in the final minutes. Post-game, Izzo lauded Ole Miss as “the toughest, most physical defensive team we’ve played in years,” comparing their style to legendary Big Ten coaches Gene Keady and Clem Haskins . Ahead of the matchup, Ole Miss coach Chris Beard called Izzo “one of the best to ever coach the game” and placed him on his “Mount Rushmore” of basketball icons .
2. **Elite Eight Exit and Roster Exodus**
Michigan State’s season ended in the **Elite Eight with a 70-64 loss** to top-seeded Auburn, falling short of Izzo’s quest for a second national title. The aftermath was turbulent: seven players departed, including seniors exhausting eligibility (e.g., Jaden Akins), transfers (Xavier Booker to UCLA, Tre Holloman to NC State), and NBA draft entrant Jase Richardson (projected top-15 pick) . This exodus leaves the Spartans without *any* double-digit scorers from the 2024–25 season .
3. **Izzo’s Blunt Critique of Transfer Portal “Chaos”**
Izzo publicly condemned the transfer portal as a **”bad system”** lacking transparency and integrity. He revealed that players face year-round recruitment from agents and other schools, leading to constant instability: *”The portal is open 24/7, 365 days a year… I know, positively, that people are talking to players all year long.”* He emphasized mental health concerns, citing “off-the-charts” pressure from social media and external influences . Despite self-criticism over losing players like Booker (“I failed… I didn’t get enough out of him”), Izzo reaffirmed his commitment to adapting without compromising accountability .
4. **Rebuilding for 2025–26 Amid Skepticism**
Facing a roster overhaul, Izzo will rely on four core returnees: point guard **Jeremy Fears** forward **Jaxon Kohler** and energizers Coen Carr and Carson Cooper. Transfers like Samford sharpshooter **Trey Fort** (37.9% 3PT) will bolster perimeter scoring—a perceived weakness. Analysts, however, question whether this group can offset the loss of proven scorers in a loaded Big Ten, projecting MSU outside the conference’s top three .
5. **Enduring Legacy and Future Focus**
At 70, Izzo remains fiercely dedicated, stating: *”I have no interest in hanging it up.”* His adaptability across eras—from “bell bottoms to NIL”—underscores his longevity. While he acknowledges the “foggy” challenges of modern basketball, his core philosophy endures: *”You’ve still got to defend, rebound, and run… It’s still the meat and potatoes”*
Izzo’s 2025 journey blended tournament resilience with candid frustration over college basketball’s evolving landscape. As he navigates rebuilding a depleted roster, his focus on discipline and player development remains unwavering, even amid systemic chaos .
