Michigan State basketball’s Tom Izzo calls for ‘guardrails’ in transfer portal

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo expressed strong criticism of the current state of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules in college basketball, calling for more regulations or "guardrails." He argued that the system has led to a loss of control and is not benefiting student-athletes in the long run, citing the prevalence of players attending multiple schools. Izzo believes players should receive some compensation but stated the current situation, where non-professional college athletes can earn significant money, has become "a little crazy."

Izzo, a veteran coach with over 30 years at Michigan State including a national championship, acknowledged that the portal has forced him to adapt his coaching approach. He contrasted the current era, marked by frequent transfers, with the past where players primarily left early for the pros or graduated, emphasizing that maintaining team culture and relationships remains critically important to him despite the changes.

Additionally, Izzo advocated for expanding the NCAA tournament field. He supports allowing more at-large teams, particularly from smaller conferences, citing the increase in Division I teams and greater financial investment in basketball. He drew parallels to the expansion of the college football playoff. However, Izzo cautioned against "watering down" the tournament, stressing the need for research to determine the optimal number of teams that maintains quality, noting the current count of approximately 363 Division I teams as a factor.