Tom Izzo is entering his 30th year as head coach of the Spartans men’s basketball team. On October 17, he addressed the media and student journalists to preview the 2024/25 season and talk about the state of college basketball.

 

Conversation Highlights:

 

(0:00) – Opening comments. Reflections on trip to Tom’s alma mater Northern Michigan University.

 

(4:48) – Are you looking back or forward as you begin your 30th year as head coach? What’s the balance?

 

(7:12) – How is leadership developing on the team?

 

(8:52) – How are roles developing on the team?

 

(10:23) – How will conference realignment impact basketball. And are you OK with football being the king in most athletic departments?

 

(14:12) – How is Jase Richardson progressing?

 

(16:49) – Is anyone on the roster developing into your go-to scorer in crunch time?

 

(18:42) – Do you have a starting line-up in mind yet?

 

(20:43) – More on leadership development.

 

(22:10) – What keeps your engine driving for you?

 

(24:45) – Talk about Frankie Fidler’s game.

 

(26:51) – How do you support your players’ mental health?

 

(30:55) – Is there anyone on the roster you think might surprise us? Maybe someone underrated?

 

(32:46) – Talk about turnovers.

 

(35:03) – Talk about rebounding.

 

(36:37) – How has the Covid era impacted the game?

 

(41:14) – Talk about how putting your team together is like putting together a puzzle. 

 

(43:21) - Talk about Jaxon Kohler’s development.

 

(44:56) – What’s the update on Gehrig Normand and how is Xavier Booker’s game developing?

 

(47:56) – How have you changed as a coach over 30 years? 

 

(49:34) - Do you coach different generations differently?

 

(53:01) – What qualities do you look for in players you recruit?

 

(55:47) – Talk about how important former players are to your team. And what do you expect from your current players when they become alumni?

 

(59:20) – How is Coen Carr’s game developing?

 

(1:01:38) – Closing remarks.