Homegrown Players

[K1 Lover]

Just wanted to share this article I came across. I'm not the biggest fan of MSU after what happened in March two years ago, but I personally find Tom Izzo really easy to root for and enjoy hearing about the success coaches like him find in prioritizing homegrown players.

And while it helps to be a hall of fame coach, I can't help but feel like adopting a similar strategy would be the best possible route for Shaka if ever decides to change things. You don't have to bring in a high-impact transfer that upends the culture, but you can use the portal to grab an improvable role-player or few who would do well to support the proven scorers you've been developing since high school. Just a thought!

[Shooter McGavin]

I think multiple people have been advocating for this for a while.  One or two transfers to fill holes.  Of course the extremists would say the portal is not a panacea or all home grown talent is not a panacea.  But as in all cases, player evaluation and fit need to be right for all forms of player procurement.

1) homegrown talent
2) combination of homegrown talent and transfers
3) Majority transfer

Unless someone leaves unexpectedly next year, the point is moot for MU next year and the foreseeable future.

[wadesworld]

Just wanted to share this article I came across. I'm not the biggest fan of MSU after what happened in March two years ago, but I personally find Tom Izzo really easy to root for and enjoy hearing about the success coaches like him find in prioritizing homegrown players.

And while it helps to be a hall of fame coach, I can't help but feel like adopting a similar strategy would be the best possible route for Shaka if ever decides to change things. You don't have to bring in a high-impact transfer that upends the culture, but you can use the portal to grab an improvable role-player or few who would do well to support the proven scorers you've been developing since high school. Just a thought!

Izzo is dirtier than Buzz.  His on court success is obvious, but hard pass.

[Galway Eagle]

I think multiple people have been advocating for this for a while.  One or two transfers to fill holes.  Of course the extremists would say the portal is not a panacea or all home grown talent is not a panacea.  But as in all cases player evaluation and fit need to be right for all forms of player procurement.

1) homegrown talent
2) combination of homegrown talent and transfers
3) Majority transfer

Unless someone leaves unexpectedly next year, the point is moot for MU next year and the foreseeable future.

Doubt Tre sticks if he continues to not play, and if NJ passes Sean completely I doubt he sticks either. But those are my guesses for the offseason. Will be interesting to see if Shaka doubles down on a promising young core or if that loss of experience pushes him to portal.

[WhiteTrash]

Just MHO, Shaka seems to be the polar opposite of Izzo and I am thrilled with that.

[K1 Lover]

Izzo is dirtier than Buzz.  His on court success is obvious, but hard pass.

How is he dirtier? Genuinely asking, since I don't know.

[The Sultan]

How is he dirtier? Genuinely asking, since I don't know.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28982980/michigan-state-basketball-coach-tom-izzo-sought-witness-2017-criminal-investigation-player

Then there's the whole Nassar thing.

[wadesworld]

How is he dirtier? Genuinely asking, since I don't know.

What Sultan said.  He's defended numerous players accused of sexual assault, he's kept a volunteer assistant coach on his staff after the coach punched a women in a bar, etc.  There's been a lot of bad stuff with his program.

[K1 Lover]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28982980/michigan-state-basketball-coach-tom-izzo-sought-witness-2017-criminal-investigation-player

Then there's the whole Nassar thing.

Yeah that's gross.

Fortunately, I think Shaka can still borrow from Izzo in a way that doesn't require him to lose his character.