Tom Izzo – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Michigan State basketball announces hire of former Michigan assistant coach to staff

Michigan State basketball is adding a former U of M assistant to their staff

After a few months of speculation, Michigan State basketball has made it official. The Spartans will bring Saddi Washington, a Lansing native, back to his hometown, after he has been in Ann Arbor on the Michigan basketball staff since 2016.

To me, this is a great hire by the Spartans. Washington played for Western Michigan back in the 1990s before he started as a volunteer coach under current Alabama head coach Nate Oats (who has also been linked as a future Tom Izzo replacement as MSU) at Romulus High School. Washington then spent 10 years with Oakland as an assistant and associate head coach, before joining Michigan’s staff in 2016.

Coach Izzo announces staff updates ahead of the 2024-25 season, including the hiring of Saddi Washington as an Assistant Coach 🏀

More: https://t.co/8Hhm9TwYXm pic.twitter.com/glyJ8UA7SX

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) June 6, 2024

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

Ranking the Top-40 best players of the Tom Izzo era at Michigan State basketball

We ranked the 40 best players of the Tom Izzo era at Michigan State basketball

We are quickly coming up on Tom Izzo’s thirtieth season as head coach of the Michigan State basketball team, and what a ride it’s been. Izzo and his Spartans have long been a program known for defense, rebounding, and transition offense. But they’ve also produced some incredibly talented scorers and all-around players during Izzo’s tenure.

Which begs the question: who are the best players that Tom Izzo ever coached?

Below, we ranked the top-40 best players that Tom Izzo ever had the opportunity to coach, some of which may surprise you, or jog your memory. Although, I think No. 1 probably shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

You can check them out below.

Watch Tom Izzo explain why some coaches may be on their way out soon

You can watch Tom Izzo explain some of his frustrations about the modern college game here:

It’s no secret that Tom Izzo has not been a fan of the way things have been going lately in college athletics. The Michigan State basketball head coach has been criticized by the MSU fan base, at times, for his stubborn nature when it comes to the transfer portal. However, the tide has started to turn on some of these topics, with many fans becoming frustrated with seeing all the transfers increase exponentially.

Tom Izzo explained recently, that it’s not just the fans who are frustrated, but he actually thinks we’ll start to see some coaches leave the profession if things don’t change soon.

He explained his views below:

"If it goes like it's going now… there's going to be a lot of coaches that will be out."

MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo can't stand for the new trend of the NCAA much longer.

More: https://t.co/kHbp14eZWP pic.twitter.com/WCKgqrXQvE

— Owen Oszust (@Owen_Oszust) May 28, 2024

Michigan State basketball will reportedly head to Spain in August

For the second time under Tom Izzo, the Michigan State basketball program is heading to Europe. According to insider Justin Thind, the Spartans will head to Spain in mid-August where they will visit Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.

MSU’s first and last European trip was to Italy back in 2015.

Source: #MichiganState’s basketball team will head to Spain in mid-August, I’m told.

They’ll visit Madrid, Barcelona & Valencia.

This will be MSU’s 2nd overseas trip under Tom Izzo (2015). Cool opportunity for the kids to experience Europe & its hoops.https://t.co/hyEIfzxuSs pic.twitter.com/OVr0xiIU4V

— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) April 26, 2024

Tom Izzo: A.J. Hoggard will not return to Michigan State basketball

In a recent, illuminating radio interview, Tom Izzo gave some much-requested clarity around his program as it currently stands. While there are still plenty of question-marks, it doesn’t appear that A.J. Hoggard is one of them, as far as MSU is concerned.

Izzo said that Hoggard is currently exploring a professional basketball career. Then added the following:

“He could go back to college. It wouldn’t be here,” Izzo said.

That seems pretty resolute. Izzo seems ready to give the reins to Jeremy Fears Jr. and Tre Holloman and refresh his roster for another run.

Tom Izzo releases statement on departure of Michigan State basketball assistant coach

Michigan State basketball fans were eager to see some new faces on the bench coaching this year, and they will be getting at least one new assistant this year, as current assistant coach Mark Montgomery made it official on Wednesday and will be formally taking the Detroit Mercy head coaching job effective immediately.

Following the move, Tom Izzo put out a statement as part of the team’s press release:

Tom Izzo quoted in the press release: https://t.co/Edc6Kiaglw pic.twitter.com/4za6AChj2O

— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) April 3, 2024

WATCH: Tom Izzo talks about the potential of retiring

Tom Izzo talked about retirement in an interview with NBC Sports:

It is no secret that Tom Izzo is starting to get up there in age. The longtime MSU head coach turned 69 this year, while having over 45 years of coaching experience in the bank.

Obviously, with the increased age that Izzo is now in, the prospects of retiring are slowly becoming a reality.

While that day is coming closer and closer, in an interview with NBC Sports, Izzo said that day won’t be coming any time soon.

Tom Izzo’s remarkable NCAA tournament resume continues to grow! 👏@bigten | @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/L16ME1ZZoC

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) March 19, 2024

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Michigan State basketball makes 26th straight NCAA Tournament

For the 26th tournament in a row, Michigan State basketball is going dancing

For the 26th time in a row, starting in 1998, Michigan State basketball is going dancing. Despite a lot of stress this weekend after some crazy conference tournament outcomes put them back on the bubble, the Spartans will still sneak into the NCAA Tournament after a 19-14 season.

The Spartans will be in the region as the 9-seed, going up against 8-seeded Mississippi State. So yes, it will be MSU vs. MSU in the NCAA Tournament.

WATCH: Tom Izzo reacts to Michigan State basketball’s loss to Indiana

It was another tough road loss for Michigan State basketball at Indiana on Sunday, and Tom Izzo wasn’t thrilled with the performance, despite being proud of his team for fighting through a rough night.

Izzo didn’t like the shots that his team took down the stretch as they lost a late lead.

You can watch his full press conference from after the game below:

WATCH: Tom Izzo previews Michigan State basketball’s season finale against Indiana

This is one regular season that I think Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball won’t mind seeing go to the wayside, but there is still one more game at Indiana where the Spartans can change some of their story before the postseason begins.

On Friday, Tom Izzo spoke to the media about his team and the match-up, and you can watch that below: