Two things were plain to see with this season’s team: they never had the talent to beat the best of the best, and injuries to players in meaningful roles proved too much to work around. 

“They’ll talk about retirement. Why? What the hell am I gonna do?” Izzo said. “The minute I don't feel good, the minute I don't feel like I'm getting my athletic director or president or school, every ounce of energy I have every day, or that energy drops – you don't have to worry about it.”

MSU’s Kaleb Glenn and Divine Ugochukwu, both out for the season with their respective injuries, were the team’s top two transfers. Glenn, out before the season started, was slated to play right behind Coen Carr at the three, but a redshirt season on the sidelines removed even the thought of seeing the court.

Glenn, who averaged 12.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game at FAU last year, was an immediate wake-up call for MSU’s core four, who had to assume a greater role. 

Those responsibilities grew even further after Divine Ugochukwu suffered a broken foot against Minnesota in February. MSU’s starting and only true shooting guard was suddenly sidelined without a replacement available. 

Freshman Jordan Scott, within three days, had to assume the role of MSU’s shooting guard. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward at first seemed willing and able to step into this role, averaging 20 minutes per game to that point. As stress mounted and the pressure of win-or-go-home games was constant, Scott faded back into the shadows. 

The aggressive slasher who dove for loose balls and tipped in last-second buckets had disappeared. Against UConn, in his 13th start in a row, he lacked the intensity and desperation needed to make a Final Four. 

Scott scored five points on 2-for-5 shooting with three rebounds. His roommate, freshman Cam Ward, new to the big lights of the Sweet Sixteen, was also mostly absent on the offensive side with two points and six boards.

“I got to give UConn a lot of credit, but, man, we didn't look like ourselves,” Izzo said. “That's got to fall on the coach. I gotta get them ready to do that.”

Last offseason, Izzo recruited four transfers: only two played to the end of the season. Denham Wojcik and Trey Fort, the seniors who left more to be desired, were the example of transfer portal help Izzo was searching for this season. While other schools revamped their lineups, opting for a roster of new talent, MSU stayed true to its guys. 

This year’s newcomers combined for 9.7 points per game. On the other end of the court, the Huskies averaged 30.3 points from transfer players while still starting three players who grew through the program. MSU's original recruits account for 92% of its scoring, and UConn's homegrown players aren't far behind at 70.5%. 

Transfers or not, MSU, there are plenty of lessons from this loss that will stay ingrained in the consciousness of each student-athlete. Without Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler in the post, MSU will have a largely different cast of characters playing down low. 

“I got some things to accomplish,“ Izzo said. “I said a couple of years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven't gotten back. We'll get back.”

MSU has the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation, according to 247 Sports. Headlining that group is four-star seven-footer Ethan Taylor, followed by three other four-star recruits: guard Carlos Medlock Jr., forward Julius Avent and guard Jasiah Jervis. 

The two freshman big men likely won’t be enough to have a sufficient presence in the paint. Transfer help is likely, no matter how grudgingly Izzo decides to do so. 

“The portal at Michigan State is different than the portal at most places,“ Izzo said. “I'm going right to my freaking locker room.“

Izzo isn’t done, and neither are his hopes for further accomplishments in the tournament. MSU has reached a national championship twice, with eight Final Fours and 17 Sweet Sixteens. Nothing compares to hoisting the trophy at the end of the season, though. 

“We made a run at it. Fell a little short, but all in all, I've been blessed to have an incredible couple of years with those seniors,“ Izzo said. “So I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I'm just not lucky enough to be playing on Sunday. I'll get to play on another Sunday; hang around.“