Spartan Hoopla: NBA Talk Sure Did Hurt Michigan State's Tom Izzo

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has really shown his naysayers that his NBA dream would impact his recruiting.

Those who said he was going to jump ship and join Spartan alum Dan Gilbert in Cleveland weren't wrong, they were just on the opposite side of right.

Izzo's naysayers were dead-set that flirting with the somewhat high-profile Cavaliers position was going to turn off recruits.

They might as well eat their words now.

They are the same folks who said the Chris Allen situation cast a negative shadow on Michigan State's program, and it was a sign Izzo was losing control.

How's this for bouncing back from a dramatic summer?

In the last two weeks, Izzo has landed some average talent.

Izzo lured Branden Dawson, who is a five-star rated forward from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Ind. for 2011. He's OK if you like guys are who are uber-athletic, and more versatile than a Swiss Army knife.

Dawson, who is 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, had offers pouring in left and right, and was said to be a born Purdue-lean.

Welcome to Michigan State, Dawson. Izzo will make you feel comfortable. That is, if you're OK with going deep into March and competing for a national title.

Then, with his damaged reputation hanging above his head, Izzo eyed Gary Harris for 2012. Harris is Hamilton Southeastern's star guard, and is considering Michigan State as his choice.

Harris' relationship with the Spartans' assistant coach Mike Garland helped, but it's likely Izzo's impressive Final Four resume will lure the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Indiana prep-star to East Lansing.

"He knows how to win," Harris told Spartan Nation.com. "He's been to six of the past 12 Final Fours. I mean, that's enough in itself. He knows how to win."

And did Harris mention Izzo knows how to win?

Just making sure.

To top it off, Mr. March convinced Bay City Western star Matt Costello that he would look great in green and white on Wednesday. Costello is a hearty 6-foot-8, 195-pounder, who could easily play two positions. He will be eligible to sign in the fall.

With his length, and possible two inch height differential once he graduates, Costello could be one of the most athletic big men in the Big Ten.

There are questions of his speed, but that can be groomed. Don't expect a guy Costello's size to be able to run the floor like Durrell Summers, but he is no Derrick Nix.

No offense, Nix. You're getting there.

The Spartans were given word that 6-foot-5, Lansing Sexton standout Denzel Valentine wanted to join the festivities in 2012. Another lanky wing man with a great touch—does that remind of you anyone?

Valentine said he liked Izzo's honesty about where he would fit in the program. His father, Carlton Valentine, also played at Michigan State.

Medina, Ohio's Kenny Kaminski must have liked what Izzo spoke of, because he too, decided to to play for the two-time defending Big Ten champions. The 6-foot-7 forward committed last week, and has been rated in the four-star range by recruiting sites, depending where you look.

Indeed, it has been a lack-luster summer of recruiting for Izzo. How does he sleep at night knowing his NBA fantasy killed his recruiting skills?