Tom Izzo speaks to challenges of building culture in the transfer portal, NIL era

Tom Izzo noted the challenges of building a culture amid the transfer portal and NIL era in college athletics.

While Izzo tries to maintain his old school roster building practices, it’s a new reality in college athletics, particularly in college basketball. Where a few players can make a difference between a title and missing out on the NCAA Tournament, you have to be prepared.

Michigan State has been top tier in the Big Ten this season, but it’s not without overarching issues according to Izzo.

“It’s hard. It’s one of the things that probably frustrates me the most, because culture means everything to me,” Izzo said. “You know, it’s difficult. Some are doing it, but not as many as you think. You know, there’s, I think last week, 19 of the 25 top teams got beat. You know, you’re getting more of this (up and down trend and rollercoaster ride). And, you know, we’re just trying to stay the course, you know, but it’s hard. It’s hard on coaches, and it’s hard on players. And because a lot of times, you know, you see in the NBA, you see the NFL’s best players don’t always win games, you know, you got to have that, and the only way you can get it and chemistry that camaraderie is to play together, you know?

Tom Izzo preaching culture in transfer portal, NIL era

“And I think they’ve done a pretty damn good job, you know? I mean, this team lost a couple of tight games with freshmen. That’s going to happen sometimes, no matter how good they are, but I like where (we’re) at. I like the fact that I think this team is going to get better, this team will be a tough out by the end of the season.”

At least Izzo practices what he preaches though. The Spartans beat Rutgers 81-74 at Madison Square Garden to improve to 17-2. Going into the weekend, MSU was ranked No. 8 in the country.

But, Izzo felt his team was feeling themselves and buying into their own hype, rather than keeping their head down and working.

“I’m happy we won, you have to win games like this,” Izzo said. “But I was disappointed. I felt for the first time we looked entitled. We’re reading our press clippings. We didn’t move the ball smoothly. We looked a little selfish. Learning how to deal with failure is hard but learning how to with success is sometimes harder.”