Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Tom Izzo’s top recruiting victories

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 13, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo coaches on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the Big Ten conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan State defeats Purdue 66-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo coaches on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the Big Ten conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan State defeats Purdue 66-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; From left to right McDonald’s All-Americans Miles Bridges (0) and Joshua Langford (25) who both will be attending Michigan State pose for a group photo before the McDonald’s High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; From left to right McDonald’s All-Americans Miles Bridges (0) and Joshua Langford (25) who both will be attending Michigan State pose for a group photo before the McDonald’s High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Arguably, Tom Izzo’s best recruiting class as head coach, the 2016 group will likely all get some solid playing time as true freshman in 2016-17 with plenty of pieces departing.

OK, there probably isn’t much of an argument, this is his best class ever, rivaling that of 2007 with Chris Allen, Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers. The grouping of Cassius Winston, Nick Ward, Miles Bridges and Josh Langford make for the most talented freshman class Izzo has ever put together.

Adding Josh Jackson, the No. 1 recruit in the nation who had MSU in his final three, would have been icing on the cake, but the Spartans will gladly take the other four. Jackson grew up a State fan but decided to pick Kansas just this past week — a reason why people are knocking Izzo for never being able to recruit the sure one-and-dones.

The big man, Ward (ranked No. 43 on Rivals), committed first, picking Michigan State over hometown favorite Ohio State — win No. 1 for Izzo in the class. Josh Langford (No. 18) was next and turned down the likes of Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. Next, it was Mr. Basketball Cassius Winston (No. 28) who picked MSU over Michigan, Pitt and Stanford.

Lastly, the crown jewel of the class, Miles Bridges (No. 11) chose the Spartans over Kentucky which was a mammoth win for Izzo.

This class has yet to take the floor, but it could be No. 1 before it’s all said and done.

Next: 2. Jason Richardson

Home/Recruiting