Adapting is a big part of college athletics these days, and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has been putting it off for as long as possible.
He’s dipped his toe into the transfer portal era with additions like Szymon Zapala, Frankie Fidler, Denham Wojcik, Trey Fort, Divine Ugochukwu, and Kaleb Glenn over the past couple of years, but his anaction so far in the 2026 transfer portal has been concerning. Fans are darn near ready to hit the panic button if he doesn’t add a center pretty soon.
Although he’s been quiet in the portal so far, Michigan State projects to have one of the best teams in the country next season, especially since it hasn’t lost anyone to a transfer either.
Still, fans believe that Michigan State is a starting center away from being a legit national title favorite with the roster returning next year. That could all be ruined by not addressing the void in the post.
Just how frustrating has the portal been so far for Michigan State fans? Well, they are the only fans in the Big Ten that have not been able to celebrate the addition of a transfer, per Jay Cuda on X.
Yes, that means teams like Penn State, Rutgers, and Minnesota have all signed a transfer this offseason, but Michigan State is the lone team in the conference that has not. Seventeen of the 18 Big Ten teams have addressed needs in the portal. Unreal.
Let’s cut Tom Izzo a little slack here
Although the Spartans are the only team in the Big Ten without an added transfer, they also haven’t lost anyone to the portal which means the core from a 27-8 Sweet 16 team is all back. That’s huge and if Michigan State had added players the caliber of Coen Carr or Jordan Scott or Cam Ward in the portal, we’d all be celebrating in the streets.
Instead, Izzo is keeping his guys.
There is room for another player and while Michigan State is the only team without a portal addition, you have to be pretty selective when there’s only spot for one guy.
Izzo’s approach may have cost him Aiden Sherrell, Moustapha Thiam, and Samet Yigitoglu, though. He cannot be slow-playing the portal with elite players out there. He needs to be much more aggressive every offseason if he wants to hang another banner.
There’s still time for him to figure this out, but man, this portal season has been a dud so far.
Add us as a preferred source on Google