Every time Michigan loses a player we have recruited, especially where we appeared, at least at one time, to be in decent position to obtain a commitment, the argument ensues as to whether this is because "Beilein can't recruit," "college basketball recruiting is dirty," or some position in-between. I like to think I can be objective about this, but because it's Michigan, it's hard to tell, at least for me, whether the explanations I have made as to why a player didn't come are borne more from reality or from a subconscious desire to protect a program I care deeply about, and a coaching staff I admire and respect. So let's try this with Tom Izzo in the wake of the Swanigan decommitment. Why has MSU had so much trouble finishing on top kids (all rankings below are from rivals) over the last 3-4 years?
Tom Izzo, until recently, has never had any problem getting very highly touted recruits. I could list a boatload--as just a few examples, from most recent to least, Gary Harris, Branden Dawson, Adreian Payne, Keith Appling, Delvon Roe, Kalin Lucas, Shannon Brown, Alan Anderson, Paul Davis, Marcus Taylor, Zach Randolph, and Mateen Cleaves were all top 40 recruits (many, top 20), and the ratio of 4*s (including guys outside the top 40, but still 4* players) and 5*s to 3*s was extremely high. Michigan State has a record over the last 18 years as good or better than anyone in the country--7 Final Fours, including a NC, and 18 consecutive tournament appearances.
And yet, over the last 3 years, MSU's recruiting has clearly declined These are Izzo's high school recruits for '13-'15 (in the interest of completeness, MSU does have a 4* in Nick Ward committed for '16, and transfers Bryn Forbes and Eron Harris, who played well at earlier college stops, but were 2 and 3* recruits out of high school): Alvin Elis III, Gavin Schilling, Jevon Bess, Lourawls Nairn, Marvin Clark, Deyonta Davis, Matthew McQuaid and Kyle Ahern. Davis is a 5*, top 20 kid, Nairn and McQuaid were/are both 4*s, but ranked outside the top 0. The others were/are 3* kids ranked outside the top 100. During that time, MSU has lost out on a huge number of kids they were supposedly leading for, or at least in good position per their "insiders"--some examples include Jabari Parker, Cliff Alexander, Tyus Jones, Jahil Okafor, DeAngelo Russell, Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis, Trevon Bluiett, Jalen Brunson, and now, of course, Caleb Swanigan. Sound familiar?
Izzo, is regarded generally as a guy who is not going to go in and buy players ala the dirty programs in college basketball. In all other respects, he is viewed as a passionate, intense and relentless recruiter, and one who, as noted above, has had success in the recruiting arena and on the floor. Why then is he coming up empty more than he did in the past?
To me, it's a combination of things--illegalities in some cases, influence from "handlers" in others, style of personality and play for some, lack of early entry guys, unwillingness to "play the game" with respect to some, etc. Are those "excuses?" Not to me--they're reality. But, for those who have labeled explanations such as these "excuses" for Beilein's recruiting failures, how you view the Izzo situation, where there is no "homerism" involved?
College basketball recruiting at the highest recruit levels has changed in a way which does not favor guys like Izzo (or Beilein). Tom Izzo will continue to do very well--he's a great coach, with a proven record of success. I don't think, though, it's going to be on the backs of players as highly rated as some were in the past.
Tom Izzo, until recently, has never had any problem getting very highly touted recruits. I could list a boatload--as just a few examples, from most recent to least, Gary Harris, Branden Dawson, Adreian Payne, Keith Appling, Delvon Roe, Kalin Lucas, Shannon Brown, Alan Anderson, Paul Davis, Marcus Taylor, Zach Randolph, and Mateen Cleaves were all top 40 recruits (many, top 20), and the ratio of 4*s (including guys outside the top 40, but still 4* players) and 5*s to 3*s was extremely high. Michigan State has a record over the last 18 years as good or better than anyone in the country--7 Final Fours, including a NC, and 18 consecutive tournament appearances.
And yet, over the last 3 years, MSU's recruiting has clearly declined These are Izzo's high school recruits for '13-'15 (in the interest of completeness, MSU does have a 4* in Nick Ward committed for '16, and transfers Bryn Forbes and Eron Harris, who played well at earlier college stops, but were 2 and 3* recruits out of high school): Alvin Elis III, Gavin Schilling, Jevon Bess, Lourawls Nairn, Marvin Clark, Deyonta Davis, Matthew McQuaid and Kyle Ahern. Davis is a 5*, top 20 kid, Nairn and McQuaid were/are both 4*s, but ranked outside the top 0. The others were/are 3* kids ranked outside the top 100. During that time, MSU has lost out on a huge number of kids they were supposedly leading for, or at least in good position per their "insiders"--some examples include Jabari Parker, Cliff Alexander, Tyus Jones, Jahil Okafor, DeAngelo Russell, Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis, Trevon Bluiett, Jalen Brunson, and now, of course, Caleb Swanigan. Sound familiar?
Izzo, is regarded generally as a guy who is not going to go in and buy players ala the dirty programs in college basketball. In all other respects, he is viewed as a passionate, intense and relentless recruiter, and one who, as noted above, has had success in the recruiting arena and on the floor. Why then is he coming up empty more than he did in the past?
To me, it's a combination of things--illegalities in some cases, influence from "handlers" in others, style of personality and play for some, lack of early entry guys, unwillingness to "play the game" with respect to some, etc. Are those "excuses?" Not to me--they're reality. But, for those who have labeled explanations such as these "excuses" for Beilein's recruiting failures, how you view the Izzo situation, where there is no "homerism" involved?
College basketball recruiting at the highest recruit levels has changed in a way which does not favor guys like Izzo (or Beilein). Tom Izzo will continue to do very well--he's a great coach, with a proven record of success. I don't think, though, it's going to be on the backs of players as highly rated as some were in the past.
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