Michigan State Basketball: Basics of a steady Spartan philosophy
By Ian Olsen
Michigan State Basketball family lives long after college careers, displayed by game attendance of former players, all playing on different teams.
The last several weeks have been hard to swallow for Michigan State Basketball – suffering a first-round tournament loss, watching players leave and coming just short of landing a top recruit.
Related Story: MSU Basketball: Ranking Tom Izzo's biggest recruiting victories
But, ironically, the most momentous event for the program this spring was positive. The April 4th announcement of Tom Izzo’s induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame symbolizes the level of the program’s enduring success.
Under Izzo’s 22-year tenure as head coach, Michigan State has become a college basketball powerhouse and a perennial Big Ten frontrunner.
Many disappointments have come along the way. Since the program’s last championship 16 years ago, Michigan State is the winningest, most successful major-conference team to have not yet won another. Those sharing this frustration, however, need to recognize the reason why the national championship remains the realistic goal. That standard will stay the same, and Izzo won’t be satisfied before leading his team to win at least one more.
More from Spartans Basketball
- Michigan State basketball facing Tennessee in October for great cause
- Michigan State basketball: What can’t Coen Carr do?
- A couple of former Michigan State basketball players head overseas
- Michigan State basketball: Tyson Walker got acquainted with Michigan rivalry immediately
- Michigan State basketball reportedly talking Baylor matchup in 2023-24
In comparison with the great majority of programs whose success fluctuates according to players coming and going, Michigan State preserves an unchanging philosophy that produces long-standing success.
Below are some of the observable elements that contribute to this philosophy:
Offensive Sets
College basketball is replete with motion offenses relying on players taking defenders one-on-one, searching for teammates, trying to get open with or without screens whenever and wherever, and trusting their luck on outshooting their team to victory.
Michigan State’s offense continuously runs the same practiced sets every game throughout every season. After every opponent possession – whether it ends in a miss, make or turnover – count on them to push the ball seeking fast break buckets. If they don’t score in transition, they run these dependable sets, which are not secret and hardly change. Any opposing coach can examine every detail.
The stable sets have shown, thousands of possessions over, to equip players with numerous scoring options exposing defensive vulnerabilities, allowing the team to attack those susceptibilities and control the pace.
Izzo and team captains can teach team members the details of each position’s respective role. Players then know where their teammates are, what they are doing and what options they have.
Player-Coached Teams
Izzo stresses his desire for player-coached teams. He avoids the obligation to choose captains or require a team vote; rather he hopes for leaders to naturally develop and become clear captains. Only able to coach from the sideline, he requires captains to be on-court coaches directing the team. He praises players who speak up and spark liveliness in the huddle and locker room.’
One-on-One Defense
Izzo preaches defense.
When a player defends poorly or lazily, Izzo sits him regardless of talent level. Though individual games have been lost due to him sitting stars, his demand for relentless defense is instilled in players – resulting in more wins, more conference championships, and more Final Fours long-term.
Izzo has stuck persistently to a constant one-on-one half-court defense. He has hinted at trying a zone, but has never done it. His allegiance to a straight-up man defense preserves player accountability, allowing the coach to single out each player that gets beat and teach him ways to develop. He coaches with the same vigor regardless of the score or time remaining.
Lineup Shuffling
Ever wonder why Michigan State peaks at the end of each season?
Izzo creates early-season awkwardness to gain late-season rhythm. To begin each season, oftentimes into early Big Ten play, Izzo obsessively reshapes lineups. He is never content and, rather than settle for an early lineup showing some cohesion, he continues to mix and match 10 or 11 players deep.
The team progressively refines itself until the optimal lineup is found, and the team rides its well-oiled machine into March.
Shared Belief
The foundation of the Spartan Philosophy is a shared belief. This abiding unity is shown by the program’s unrivaled number of players who improve each season. It’s shown by the love players express for their coach, and by the way they describe both the athletic and personal growth they experience in East Lansing.
Spartan family lives long after college careers, displayed by game attendance of former players, all playing on different teams – years and even decades apart – but sharing the same unfailing belief in this steady philosophy.