Latest news with #Izzo
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
BTN analyst likes Spartans addition of Carlos Medlock Jr., 'Izzo got a DAWG'
Izzo got a tell Izzo is out there personally recruiting, not relying on stars or rankings. One Big Ten Network analyst loves the addition of Carlos Medlock Jr. to the Spartans' 2026 class. Michigan State basketball picked up its first commitment in the 2026 recruiting cycle from Medlock last week, which garnered a lot of excitement from the fanbase. Medlock is a four-star prospect and ranked as one of the top point guards in the country on 247Sports. Fans being excited about a commitment is always expected, but what about the media and analyst closer to the game? Well, Rapheal Davis of the Big Ten Network is equally excited about this pickup for the Spartans. Davis responded to a fan asking about Medlock's commitment to Michigan State by stating "(Tom) Izzo got a DAWG." Additionally, Davis noted that the addition of Medlock is a feather in the cap to Izzo for not solely leaning on recruiting rankings and finding an under-the-radar prospect that has recently blown up on the recruiting scene. When Michigan State first offered Medlock, he was a three-star prospect with mostly mid-major offers. Check out the complete post from Davis below: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Tom Izzo, John Calipari seen sitting courtside together at Peach Jam
What do you think these pair of hall of famers were chatting about at Peach Jam this past weekend? If you ever want to run into a pair of hall of famers, you just need to go to recruiting events. It's the middle of the offseason and peak recruiting season so of course Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is out and about pursuing potential future Spartans. This week, that included a stop at the annual monster recruiting event EYBL Nike Peach Jam in North August, S.C. Izzo was one of many notable coaches on hand for the recruiting event, and he was spotted sitting courtside next to a fellow hall of famer: John Calipari of Arkansas. Thank you to college basketball reporter and insider John Fanta for snapping a picture of the two chatting on the sidelines during Peach Jam. Check out the picture from Fanta below: What do you think these two are chatting about? It could be about the upcoming reported home-and-home Michigan State and Arkansas will be playing over the next two season. The Spartans are expected to host the Razorbacks at the Breslin Center this upcoming season, and then will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. during the 2026-27 season. Both Izzo and Calipari have been around the game of basketball for a long time, and have both experienced a ton of success on the hardwood. But it is still always cool to me to see them at events like this with boots on the ground recruiting as hard as they did when they first started 30-plus years ago. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
19-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Izzo names 3 previous teams capable of winning national championship but came up short
Something I often find myself wondering about during the offseason is which of Tom Izzo's many dominant teams were good enough to win a national championship but came up short. And it turns out, this is something Izzo has also thought about before. Izzo recently sat down with Rick Pizzo of the Big Ten Network to discuss a number of topics surrounding his Spartans program and his own career. One of the items he discussed was the teams he thought were capable of winning a national championship but came up short. Can you guess which three teams he named? Here's the list from the man who led those teams: It's painful to think about how each of those seasons came to an end, but I unfortunately have to agree with Izzo on each of those teams being capable of winning it all. I would also add the 2018-19 team that lost to Texas Tech in the Final Four as I would have liked the Spartans chances against Virginia in the title game had they beaten the Red Raiders. Izzo, of course, has won one national championship during his career in 2000, and has been chasing his second title ever since. He has came close on numerous occasions, including this past year when the Spartans reached the Elite Eight. Hopefully, before Izzo elects to hang it up, he'll reach that pinnacle again and claim one more national championship at Michigan State. Check out the whole clip of Izzo talking about these teams, as well as some other interesting notes from his interview with Pizzo in the video below: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tom Izzo praises Coen Carr's offseason progression, expects 'big year' from him
It sounds like Michigan State forward Coen Carr is taking some big steps this offseason that should excite Spartans fans. Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo recently caught up with Big Ten Network analyst Rick Pizzo to discuss a number of notable topics surrounding his program, himself and the state of college basketball as a whole. One of the interesting takeaways from Izzo's interview with Pizzo was some very high praise for Carr -- who Izzo is expecting "big things" from next season. "He's changed his shot, changed his free throws, now he's gotta defend, he's gotta rebound a little bit better. I expect him to have a big year," Izzo said during the interview. You can see the full clip of Izzo's comments on Carr in the social media X post included further below in the article. Carr appeared in 37 games this past season for the Spartans mostly in a reserve role off the bench. His game saw a notable step forward in a lot of areas, which led him to averaging 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game -- both of which were more than double from his freshman season averages. These comments from Izzo are exciting to hear because he is not one to over hype any of his players, so it's genuine when he's giving any type of praise like this. Carr will be leaned on more than ever next season, and it sounds like Izzo is expecting that just like those who cover or support the team as well. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo reflects on record breaking year in 2025-26
"My first Big Ten win was against Indiana, so it's kinda apropos that it happened at the end."Tom Izzo reflects on passing Bob Knight to become the winningest HC in #B1GMBBall history 👇#B1GToday x @MSU_Basketball The Big Ten Network has spent their Wednesday featuring all things Michigan State, including every program the Spartan athletics have. While Robyn Fralick talked with the network, MSU men's head coach Tom Izzo also spoke to the media. With Izzo passing Bob Knight to become the winningest coach in Big Ten history last season, while also leading the Spartans to his 11th Big Ten championship, Izzo reflected on those accomplishments with Rick Pizzo. Watch the interview via X, where Izzo broke down and reflected on the history making year in 2024-25: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
