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Michigan State Recruiting: Ranking Tom Izzo’s biggest misses

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State recruiting has had some big-time target misses under head basketball coach Tom Izzo.

Throughout the years, Michigan State recruiting has landed some big-time basketball targets. Tom Izzo might get knocked for his recruiting approach, but let’s face it, he knows how to get the job done with the guys he feels are the best fits for his program — most of the time.

Don’t get it twisted, Izzo has landed some of the nation’s top talents during his time as head coach, including Mateen Cleaves, Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph, Shannon Brown, Delvon Roe, Branden Dawson, Gary Harris, Deyonta Davis and most recently Miles Bridges and Josh Langford. All of those guys were four or five-star recruits and ‘Plan A’ targets.

This doesn’t mean that swinging and missing isn’t part of Izzo’s game. He has done much of that over the years and that’s exactly what this list is dedicated to showing. Even with all of the success and Final Fours that the Hall of Famer has had, even the best miss out on some top-tier, primary target recruits during their careers.

Let’s take a look at the eight biggest recruiting misses in the Izzo era — most of which have happened over the past few years. Let us know if we missed anyone in the comment section below.

Feb 18, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) reacts in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) reacts in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Spartans made Kevon Looney’s list of final six teams and it looked like Michigan State realistically had a shot to land the Milwaukee, Wisc., native, but clearly he decided to go to the West Coast for his one year of college ball.

Picking UCLA was a bit of a surprise, but Michigan State was hoping until the final pick that they’d be his destination of choice. He was ranked the No. 11 player in the class of 2014 as well as the second-best power forward, according to 247Sports.

Looney played just one year at UCLA, scoring 11.6 points and grabbing 9.2 boards per game. He shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc and would have easily helped that 2014-15 Michigan State team in the Final Four. He was drafted 30th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors and has missed most of his rookie year due to an injury.

Next: 7. Tyus Jones

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