Aiming for better retention in the here-today-gone-tomorrow NIL/transfer portal era, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd has been educating the Wildcats heavily in the program’s traditions, showing them the bigger picture that they can be a part of.
The more years with the program, the more potential success, the more bonding with fans, the more being part of that tradition (and, now, the more NIL collective money, too).
Lloyd also has been filling half his roster with international talent, the sort of players who don’t grow up jumping from club-ball rosters every month or two, so are culturally more likely to stick with one school for more than just a year or two.
But, while all that could very well pay off for the Wildcats in the years ahead, Lloyd has a roster this season with six new guys, including three transfers who are all playing key starting or reserve roles, while their opponent on Thursday is a case study in retention.
That is, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has somehow managed to all but ignore the portal, stacking the Spartans’ roster with top recruiting classes and largely keeping them around. Even in today’s transient game, Izzo has retained so much talent — and recruited so much on top of that — that he hasn’t taken a single player out of the transfer portal since the 2021 class.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has 690 career wins and won the 2000 national championship with the Spartans.
For Izzo, the Spartans’ longtime, down-to-earth coach, it’s largely about bonding.
“I just get a lot out of the relationships, and I think they get a lot out of the relationships back,” Izzo said of his players during MSU’s preseason media day last month. “If everybody thinks that can just happen for knowing a guy for eight months, they're better men than me. I ain't gonna change. … That is my staple."
Izzo’s retention strategy has gone so well that the biggest issue the Spartans may face this season is finding enough playing time — and shots — to keep everybody happy.
Michigan State returned four starters back from a Sweet 16 team last season and pulled in what 247 ranked the No. 5 recruiting class in the nation. The Spartans are so loaded that they play not one but two McDonald's All-Americans off the bench: guard Jeremy Fears and big man Xavier Booker.
Oddly, it’s a trend Izzo has had to defend somewhat.
“I'm going to do what I do,” he said. “I'm gonna enjoy the fight of a relationship program over a transaction program. Last year, people were mad I didn't go in the portal a lot. This year, I don't hear anybody mad. Now, they're mad that I've got too many players.
But so far this season, Izzo’s relationship-based program has struggled out of the gate, losing in overtime to James Madison in their Nov. 16 season opener and also to Duke on a neutral court.
“What's unique about Arizona is they got a couple of Midwest kids, they got a couple of European kids, (they've) got a lot of older kids," said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said of Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd's team. "I think they're pretty tough and physical. I know their guards are very much that way and so it'll be a good challenge for us."
The Spartans may have talent at every position, at every age, but it still takes time. While praising the improvement sophomore guard Tre Holloway has put in during the offseason, resulting in 53.8% 3-point shooting so far, Izzo also noted that it can take a while to develop that work ethic.
Especially for those young McDonald's All-Americans he has.
“I think that's what our freshmen now have to understand, the time you have to spend,” Izzo said. “Booker said something the other day and I just didn't realize, you know, these guys are pampered. They're entitled by everybody now, NCAA-entitled.
“So why would they really understand that? I think that's why you're seeing so few freshmen playing right now. The difference is, we need to play some freshmen. I think some guys are starting to figure it out. I think that's going to help.”
Meanwhile, Lloyd’s reloaded Wildcats are unbeaten and ranked No. 3 nationally, having beaten Duke on their court. The Wildcats may be relatively new to each other, but it’s working pretty well so far.
Izzo noticed that, too.
“What's unique about Arizona is they got a couple of Midwest kids, they got a couple of European kids, (they've) got a lot of older kids," Izzo said. "I think they're pretty tough and physical. I know their guards are very much that way and so it'll be a good challenge for us."
Even after Michigan State drubbed Alcorn State 81-49 on Sunday, holding the Braves to just 26.2% shooting, Izzo fretted that the Spartans needed to “get after it” in practices this week and get notably better by Thursday because the Wildcats will be the most physical and biggest team they will face all season.
That comment drew a chuckle from UA associate head coach Jack Murphy, who has been scouting MSU.
Because while Izzo’s Spartans may still be developing, they’re still loaded with talent, still a threat to make a ninth Final Four appearance under Izzo next April in Glendale.
“He’s sandbagging. It’s a very classic trick,” Murphy said. “Don't play him in poker or golf.”
Maybe not. But the way Izzo rolls, chances are he'll make you want to hang around him for a while. Maybe for years.
Arizona Basketball Press Conference | Tommy Lloyd | Postgame after win over Belmont | Nov. 17, 2023 (Arizona Wildcats YouTube)
