Michigan State fits the exact description of what a coveted Big Ten transfer is looking for

One of the biggest names to hit the transfer portal this year happens to be one of Tom Izzo’s favorite players. The Michigan State head coach has expressed that he regrets not recruiting Wisconsin guard John Blackwell out of high school.

Izzo has been very complimentary of Blackwell, calling him “the one that got away” and he’s said that he should fire the assistants who let the talented guard leave the state.

You don’t often hear quotes like that from a head coach who wouldn’t at least entertain the idea of adding the player in question via the transfer portal. Izzo probably didn’t expect Blackwell to leave Wisconsin after three years, but on Monday, he hit the portal.

Blackwell being on the market has piqued Michigan State fans’ interest.

Although there’s not necessarily a need for another guard, I think Izzo could realistically pursue a player like Blackwell if he sees a transfer or two happening in his backcourt.

And Blackwell’s description of his ideal transfer destination sounds a lot like Michigan State could be a perfect fit.

Blackwell wants to go somewhere he can compete for titles and it’s the standard. That’s the exact description of what Michigan State is. The Spartans’ standard is competing for titles every single year and that hasn’t changed over the past 30 years under Tom Izzo.

Early rumors are pointing toward Illinois and Duke as being the top contenders to land him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Izzo at least reached out about his interest level.

Tom Izzo said John Blackwell is “the one that got away”

Izzo has always been complimentary toward Blackwell, and he said just this year that the Wisconsin guard is “the one that got away” and admitted that he should fire himself for missing on him.

Blackwell is a Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native and he was somehow able to slip through the cracks and end up at Wisconsin where he averaged a career-best 19.1 points and 5.1 rebounds this season. He dropped 24 points in an upset win over Michigan State back in February.

Izzo likes Blackwell’s game a lot and he’s from Michigan, so there has to be at least some mutual interest there, but it’s all about need. The Spartans don’t have a backcourt spot open.

This is a guy you make room for, though.

Unfortunately, I would guess that Illinois wins out here because the Illini just competed for a national title this year and they have for years under Brad Underwood and his dad, Glynn Blackwell, played there in the 1980s. The Illini are probably the favorites right now.