Michigan State handily defeated Kentucky 83-66 in the Champions Classic, in a battle of two teams that built their rosters in very different ways. While Kentucky was a team filled with transfers, MSU was a team filled with what Tom Izzo called “homegrown” talent.
The transfer portal era has, at times, been compared to NBA Free Agency. Instead, Michigan State opted to focus on adding high school talent and developing them through its program. Among MSU’s 14 players on its roster, 11 were recruited out of high school.
Izzo responded to a question postgame on whether “homegrown” talent is undervalued in the sport right now.