Tom Izzo has not been too fond of what’s been happening in college basketball these days.
From the transfer portal, to the wild wild west that is NIL, and now tampering, the Hall of Famer has always said that he loves his job but he hates his profession. He hates what it’s become because of all of these new variables being added to the mix. He never had to worry about the portal, NIL deals, or tampering 10 years ago, but now it’s commonplace.
Izzo has been extra critical of the latter lately.
Tampering has (unfortunately) come center stage in college basketball. Michigan State’s head coach has probably had to fend off some potential tamperers to his own roster and there’s a good chance that he’s lost players due to tampering. Izzo knows which coaches are tampering with players because college basketball coaching is like a fraternity. They hear everything.
Some names have been floated around in terms of tampering throughout the past couple of off seasons, but Izzo would never reveal who is guilty of it.
He will, however, take subtle jabs at those who have been tampering like he did on Thursday.
Tom Izzo on Rutgers: "If somebody doesn't tamper with them, that's going to be a damn good team."
— Jim Comparoni (@JimComparoni) March 6, 2026
After yet another very annoying game against Rutgers, Izzo talked about how much he likes the Scarlet Knights, saying that if no one tampers with them, they’re going to be really good next year.
Yes, Izzo does usually like to credit his opponent after games, but he never goes out of his way to say things like this. He usually would say “that’s a tough team” or “Steve Pikiell is a great coach” but he wouldn’t bring up the fact that his opponent will be really good next year if they’re not tampered with.
What a quote.
It’s time for the NCAA to wake up
If it hasn’t already, this post-game quote by Izzo should wake the NCAA up to the issue. There was a recent statement released that said that tampering is being investigated, but no one truly knows how serious the NCAA is taking this.
Players are being contacted throughout the season and given proposed NIL deals by coaches of other programs. That’s obviously not OK, especially since NIL is already so unchecked.
Izzo sees firsthand that opposing coaches will reach out to players, and he’s likely had to deal with some tampering to his own guys. He speaks for all of us when he says that the tampering that’s going on, coupled with the unregulated NIL deals, is ruining the sport we love. College basketball is becoming more like professional basketball, but in the worst ways.
It’s time for the NCAA to get this under control.