Tom Izzo Calls Out NCAA Policy After MSU Loss to UConn

Michigan State University head basketball coach Tom Izzo never minces words, and following the team losing to UConn in the Sweet 16, he called out a NCAA policy that’s become a key part of the process.

On Friday, March 27, the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies held off the No. 3 seed Michigan State Spartans in a 67-63 Sweet 16 victory. The games started out as a blowout, with the Huskier taking a double-digit lead early, but the Spartans fought back to briefly take the lead in the second half of the game.

The game ended after midnight ET on Saturday, March 28, and that’s when Izzo was asked about what he’s going to do next. He used the opportunity to throw a little dig at the NCAA’s transfer portal policy.

“Tomorrow I’m going to the portal,” Izzo said. “The only difference is the portal at Michigan State is different than the portal at most places. I’m going right to my fricking locker room, and I’m going to talk to each and every player right there. I’m going to make some decisions about what we’re going to do that I feel very comfortable with.”

Next season, some of the same player will remain at MSU. Izzo expects to have seven to eight players back with the team in what he called a strong freshman class.

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“I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I’m just not lucky enough to be playing on Sunday,” Izzo added. “I’ll get to play on another Sunday. Hang around.”

Izzo also shot down the idea of retiring at any point soon. At 71 years old, he’s just getting started.

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“The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day or that energy drops, you don’t have to worry about it,” Izzo said. “I don’t steal money. I won’t steal anybody’s time.”

Even though the UConn Huskies beat MSU, they can’t rest. The team takes on the No. 1 seed Duke on Sunday, March 29, in what’s expected to be a dramatic game.