East Lansing, MI — April 16, 2025
Michigan State University men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo recently opened up about the reasons behind the program’s uncharacteristic underperformance during the 2024-25 season. In a candid interview following the team’s early exit from the NCAA tournament, Izzo addressed the challenges that have hampered one of college basketball’s most consistently elite programs.
“This season didn’t live up to the standards we’ve built here,” Izzo admitted. “And I take full responsibility for that. But it’s not for a lack of effort or commitment from our guys.”
The Spartans, who have long been a fixture in the NCAA tournament’s second weekend—and often beyond—failed to advance past the first round this year, sparking criticism and concern from fans and analysts alike. Izzo, a Hall of Fame coach with a national championship and eight Final Four appearances to his name, outlined several contributing factors that derailed Michigan State’s typically strong campaign.
Injuries and Youth
“We had a rough go with injuries early,” Izzo explained. “Losing Malik [Hall] for key stretches hurt our leadership on the court. And when you combine that with a roster full of underclassmen still learning the system, it’s tough to find consistency.”
Several key players missed games throughout the season, forcing Izzo to rely heavily on freshmen and sophomores. While the younger Spartans showed promise, their inexperience proved costly in close games.
“You can’t teach experience,” he said. “And this year, we felt that more than most.”
Roster Turnover and the Transfer Portal
Like many programs across the country, Michigan State has had to adjust to the rapid changes brought by the transfer portal. Izzo acknowledged the challenge of maintaining continuity while navigating a shifting roster.
“We lost some guys we didn’t expect to lose, and brought in others who took time to adjust,” Izzo said. “This new era of college basketball forces you to rebuild chemistry constantly.”
He emphasized the importance of building a culture, something he’s long prioritized, but admitted it’s harder than ever to keep that intact amid frequent player movement.
Offensive Struggles and Identity Crisis
The Spartans struggled offensively throughout the season, with inconsistent shooting and lapses in execution. Izzo pointed to the team’s lack of a go-to scorer as a key issue.
“In the past, we’ve had that one guy who could take over when we needed a bucket—Mateen, Cassius, even Denzel,” he said. “This year, we didn’t quite have that same identity.”
He stressed the need to rediscover that offensive edge moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, Izzo remains optimistic. “This program is built on toughness, on resilience,” he said. “And I believe in our guys. We’ll use this as motivation. We’ll be back.”
With a strong recruiting class on the horizon and several returning players expected to take a leap, Izzo is confident Michigan State will rebound.
“We’ve had dips before,” he said. “But this place is special. We’ll rise again—count on it.”
As the offseason begins, the spotlight remains on Izzo and his staff to restore Michigan State basketball to the level fans have come to expect.