BY ALEJANDRO LOPEZ
NEW YORK–The Transfer Portal has become one of the biggest factors in a team’s success in the NIL era.
But in a day and age where players are constantly on the move, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo still prioritizes continuity.
“Transfer portal recruitment is almost bigger than winning games,” Izzo said after the Spartans 83-66 victory against the Kentucky in the Champions Classic. “Not at Michigan State, some day it could hurt me, I’m going to do what I gotta do. But I don’t give up on the people I got.”
“Transfer portal recruitment is almost bigger than winning games, not at Michigan State.”
“I don’t give up on the people I got.”
Tom Izzo saying this after beating the highest paid roster ($22 MILLION
) in America is why he’s the GOAT
@TheSpartanMag pic.twitter.com/96cL6PHTZI
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) November 19, 2025
The Spartans had big contributions from returning players in their dominant showcase over Kentucky.
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. had a Champions Classic-record 13 assist at Madison Square Garden while Kur Teng scored 15 points off the bench.
“That’s what we call development and that’s what you call working with players,” Izzo said. “You stick with them and they stick with you. Jeremy Fears is a good example there are a couple of rough years because that’s what happens when you are trying to make a boy a man and make a good player a great player.”
The Spartans shot the lights out at the world’s most famous arena on Tuesday night in the State Farm Champions Classic.
As a team Michigan State made 11 3-pointers on 50% shooting. Prior to their matchup against Kentucky, the Spartans had only made 13 3-pointers in the first three games of the season combined.
They are now 4-0 on the season and in a game where NIL deals and big name freshmen attract all the headlines, Izzo may be looking to prove that continuity and development is still the key to winning games in college basketball.
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