Spartan Hoopla: Tom Izzo's Decision Could Come as Early as Monday

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo was scheduled to play a round of golf Friday with football coach Mark Dantonio and athletic director Mark Hollis.

That didn't happen.

So, does that mean that there's more truth to the rumor that Izzo will leave Michigan State for Cleveland?

Spartanmag.com's Rico Beard didn't think so.

Beard was a guest on Ryan Ermanni's mid-day sports-talk cast on WDFN 1130 AM on Friday, and offered his prospective. After all, if anyone is plugged into the MSU basketball scene, it's him.

Beard went on to say that the smart decision for Izzo would be to wait to see how the NBA free-agency extravaganza plays out before making a final decision.

And that could keep Izzo in East Lansing for at least another year.

Beard said that Izzo is too smart to gamble on whether or not LeBron James is going to remain a Cavalier, and that to see where "these guys ended up" would be worth waiting for.

It's not like this is Izzo's last shot. Beard said Izzo is "courted for NBA jobs every year."

And with the certain uncertainty surrounding King James' next destination, signing with Dan Gilbert's club before James makes his decision would be a mistake.

So when can Michigan State fans expect a decision from Coach Izzo?

Beard said he wouldn't be surprised for Izzo's answer to come Monday, and not Friday, as a 4 p.m. press conference was rumored to be scheduled.

Although Ermanni and Beard made great points on Friday's show, the speculation, as usual, left Spartan fans wanting more.

Beard touched on the potential candidates for the coaching job if Izzo left. He said that Dayton's Brian Gregory, current MSU associate head coach Mark Montgomery and Utah's Jim Boylen could be viable options.

He also mentioned Izzo's former assistant and current Indiana head man Tom Crean as a possible candidate.

"Step away from the ledge, Spartan fans," Beard said jokingly. "I think he (Izzo) stays."

Ermanni's assumption was quite the opposite.

"I think he goes," Ermanni said.

Addition: Izzo will make decision Saturday, according to The Associated Press.