Tom Izzo Reacts to Criticism of 'Old School' Roster-Building Approach Ahead of 32nd Season with MSU

Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo has no plans to depart from his recruit-and-develop strategy of roster building despite many of the top programs more heavily investing in the transfer portal in recent years.

"I get called old-school a lot; I think it's right school," he told reporters Thursday 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."

While Michigan State will still utilize the transfer portal to land a player or two like center Anton Bonke this year—and some fans perhaps have questioned Izzo's approach, given the team hasn't reached the Final Four since 2019—the legendary head coach has no plans to completely rebuild his roster through transfers each season.

"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," he added.

And after a career that has included a national title, eight Final Four appearances, 28 NCAA tournament appearances, 11 Big Ten regular-season titles and six conference tournament championships, Izzo has more than earned the right to do things his way.