The idea of consistency has transferred to Izzo’s rosters, too. Now, it is routine for colleges to load up on talent through the portal with almost entirely new rosters each season and have recruiting out of high school take a backseat.

The new way of roster building could not be further removed from Izzo’s philosophy. This year, he brought in one player through the transfer portal: senior center Anton Bonke from Charlotte. Izzo doesn't dislike other ways of roster construction, but said recruiting players through high school is still how he prefers it.

The benefit of recruiting players out of high school for Izzo is that he gets to see them grow, rather than relying on a quick fix out of the portal. He can build up a player through four years. Developing a player out of high school allows them to mature off the court, academically and personally.

“I just love the way we are doing it,” Izzo said. “I still believe in it; I’m not saying there aren’t more ways to do it because there are. I’m not against paying players; the amount, I am against. I am not against the transfer portal; the number of times, I am. I really believe that the way we are doing it is pretty good.”

After losing five players from last season, three to graduation and two to the transfer portal, Izzo reloaded by bringing in the No. 7-ranked recruiting class in the country. This is Izzo's highest-ranked class since the No. 5-ranked 2023 class.

This year's freshman group brings in a few different archetypes for MSU: Carlos Medlock Jr., a smaller, pass-first point guard with scoring upside; Jasiah Jervis, a scoring wing with on-ball creation upside; Julius Avent, a physical forward who can play multiple positions and Ethan Taylor, a tall, lanky play finisher on both sides of the ball.

“I love the freshmen we are bringing in and love the fact that there is some excitement,” Izzo said. “Freshmen still have to eat last. What do you do if you have a whole team of transfers?”

With 12 players on scholarship, the roster features a mix of talent, youth and experience. MSU returns three starters, including this year's captains, senior forward Coen Carr and junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. If this year's freshmen are added to the mix, MSU will have upwards of ten players fighting for a spot in the rotation. With so many players expecting and worthy of minutes, Izzo expects to utilize a deeper rotation.

"I think we are definitely going to play more than the eight players that maybe most teams play," Izzo said. "Hopefully we got a little bit of everything: a little more size, a little more shooting, a little bit more with the guards, a little bit more experience and the same old coach, but everything else is good."

Given the new eligibility rule passed over the summer, a pathway opened for former Spartans Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper to return to the Spartans' roster. Kohler joined BYU in August for his fifth year of collegiate basketball.

Izzo likes the new rule, taking the power of eligibility out of the hands of the NCAA, but acknowledges the effect it can have on the kids coming into college.

“We find a way to change the goalposts; we move them like every week,” Izzo said. “I don’t know if I am a fan of the rule or not. What I am a fan of is no more NCAA decisions on eligibility. You get your five years until somebody challenges it, I suppose. If they stick to that, then I think it is a good rule. What I feel bad about is the juniors and seniors in high school this year. We are a very selfish world, and we don’t think everybody deserves a chance.”

Michigan State will kick off its season with its first exhibition game Oct. 2, versus Incarnate Word.