Just In: Clear And Shocking News For Michigan Spartan, Head Coach Tom Izzo Announces New Basketball Lineups After Departure Of Three Key Players following his retirement….
a comprehensive breakdown of the just-in developments surrounding Michigan State and head coach Tom Izzo, after three key players departed and Izzo hinted at retirement:
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🏀 The Departures: Three Pillars Exit
On April 1, 2025, three integral Spartans—Xavier Booker, Tre Holloman, and Gehrig Normand—officially entered the transfer portal :
Xavier Booker, a 6′11″ forward entering his third season, transferred to UCLA on April 4. Often viewed as a “basketball unicorn,” Booker struggled to carve out a consistent role, prompting his departure .
Tre Holloman, the senior guard and emotional captain of MSU’s run to the Elite Eight, surprised fans by committing to NC State on April 11 .
Gehrig Normand, a reserve redshirt freshman, transferred to Santa Clara on April 20, citing homesickness and a desire to be closer to family .
Additionally, Jase Richardson, the highly touted freshman, declared for the NBA Draft on April 8 .
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Coach Izzo’s Raw Response
At a press conference on April 17, Izzo made no excuses—he pointed to the transfer portal system as a key culprit . His daring quotes included:
**“We’ve created a bad system.”** He lamented the 24/7 portal culture where agents and schools lure players year-round .
He emphasized the lack of transparency, calling the system “BS” and urging reforms to protect student-athletes from outside noise .
Despite his frustrations, Izzo fully supported the players’ decisions. He disclosed that he had personal conversations with each of the four (Booker, Holloman, Normand, Richardson) before they exited .
On Booker, Izzo was self-critical: **“I failed. … I just couldn’t get enough out of him.”**
On Holloman, whose departure stung most, Izzo acknowledged shock, countering the rash criticism from spectators with: **“Nobody knows anything.”**
He ended with a declaration: he’s “still fist‑fighting the fight”—fully committed, still passionate, and not ready to walk away .
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The New Rosters: Turning Over the Roster
Following the losses of Booker, Holloman, Normand, and Richardson, MSU has already reshaped the roster via the 2025‑26 transfer portal :
Kaleb Glenn, a 6′6″ forward from Florida Atlantic, transferred in (April 10).
Trey Fort, a senior 6′4″ guard from Samford, also joined (April 18).
Divine Ugochukwu, a 6′3″ guard from Miami, committed on May 18.
However, the offseason took an unfortunate turn: Glenn suffered a torn patellar tendon on June 18, ruling him out for the upcoming season .
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Looking Ahead: Lineup, Strategy, Expectations
Pre-season snapshot:
According to a Big Ten 2025 preview, the Spartans hope to reload rather than rebuild :
Key returners: Jeremy Fears Jr. (PG), Jaden Akins (SG), Frankie Fidler (SF), Coen Carr (PF), Xavier Booker was originally expected to start at center (pre-portals) .
Bench shuffles: Tre Holloman, Carson Cooper, Szymon Zapala, Jaxon Kohler, alongside 2024 freshmen like Jase Richardson and Kur Teng .
After departures, the coaching staff needs to pivot; starter slots have opened, bench roles must be reassigned, and new portal transfers will need roster clarity.
Coach Izzo’s philosophy remains unchanged:
Despite being labeled ‘old‑school,’ Izzo insists he’s not against change—he believes in a structured process, consistency, and building with integrity amid uncertainty .
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The Retirement Rumors: Still in the Game
There’s chatter online questioning if this season will be Izzo’s last. But the coach himself has not announced any retirement, and remains entrenched in the program. A Reddit thread speculated he might have 2–3 seasons left, possibly aligned with the Final Four returning to Detroit in 2027—his hometown area :
> “I think he realistically has 2 or 3 years left… this group has given him life again.”
While fans expect him to retire someday soon, Izzo seems energized rather than tired.
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The Big Picture: What This Means for Spartans Basketball
1. Roster overhaul: The loss of experienced seniors and rising transfers signals a youth movement. Newcomers such as Glenn (prior to injury), Fort, and Ugochukwu will need to integrate quickly.
2. Lineup flexibility: With Booker gone, MSU’s frontcourt must evolve—Coen Carr, Kohler, Zapala, and maybe newly recruited freshmen will battle for minutes.
3. System under scrutiny: Izzo’s public critique of the transfer portal may spark broader NCAA conversations.
4. Leadership gap: Holloman was the emotional heartbeat; leadership responsibilities will fall to Akins and Fears.
5. Izzo’s legacy mission: Still chasing that elusive second national title, he must now do so in a time of instability and relentless churn.
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Final Thoughts
In roughly 700 words, here’s the unvarnished story:
MSU lost three players to the portal — Booker, Holloman, Normand — plus draft entry by Richardson.
Izzo blasted the portal system, criticized its 24/7 influence, yet supported his players personally and openly.
Replacements in the form of new transfers have arrived, but one—Kaleb Glenn—is sidelined with injury.
The Spartans’ starting lineup and bench rotation are in flux, and the team must coalesce quickly under new dynamics.
Retirement talk is alive online, but Izzo continues to coach with intensity and purpose.
If you want, I can provide a deeper look into potential replacement candidates, scouting insights, or even highlightlineups for next season’s rotations.
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