From Midnight Madness to the Izzone Campout, Tom Izzo loves this weekend every single year. Not only is it a great event for his team to be featured and take part in with fans, but it’s also a chance for him to sway some top targets on the recruiting trail during visits.
This year, Izzo was hosting two big-time uncommitted recruits. Five-star center Ethan Taylor and four-star forward Jalyn Collingwood made their way to campus to take in all the festivities.
Oh, and they checked out campus and the basketball program, too — can’t forget that.
Taylor was the headliner of the visitors, and he came to campus this weekend with four-star point guard commit and Link Academy teammate Carlos Medlock Jr.
And if you know anything about Michigan State basketball fans, they’re as passionate as they come, especially on the recruiting trail. If they hear rumblings of a five-star on campus, they’re make sure to let that five-star know that he’s wanted in East Lansing.
Spartan fans did just that during Midnight Madness as “Ethan Taylor” chants broke out while Izzo had the microphone, and he had an outstanding reaction.
Ethan Taylor chant breaks out while Izzo is speaking.
— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) October 4, 2025
Izzo: “Who is that?”
😂😂😂
Before everyone panics and says this is bad that Izzo acted like he didn’t know Taylor, he was making an obvious joke. Coaches aren’t allowed to comment on unsigned recruits, so Izzo making the joke makes that even funnier. He clearly knows what the fans were doing, and it was his way of acknowledging the chants without breaking NCAA rules.
Taylor looked like he had a great time in East Lansing on Friday night with Midnight Madness and the ensuing Izzone Campout where he was seen being crowd-surfed.
It’s going to be difficult for Taylor to say “no thanks” to Izzo after this weekend.