On Friday, Michigan State announced that head coach Tom Izzo has been issued a one-game suspension. Izzo, who was found by the NCAA to have violated recruiting rules, will miss Saturday’s game against Prairie View A&M. From USA Today:
Tom Izzo Suspended For Michigan State-Prairie View A&M Game
The violation occurred when Izzo and the school hired an associate of a potential recruit to help during a youth basketball camp last June. The person was paid $475 for five days of work during the camp.
Izzo, who is one of the very most well-respected coaches in college basketball, hired an “Individual Associated With a Prospect,” or IAWP. Luckily for Izzo and the Michigan State program, the game Izzo will miss is against a SWAC team that’s off to a 2-9 start, but the school still believes the punishment is more severe than warranted. Michigan State’s athletic director released a statement on the matter:
“As an institution, we believe Coach Izzo and his staff have always demonstrated a commitment to compliance and will continue to do so,” said MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. “This inadvertent secondary violation occurred in a changing landscape. We find ourselves in unchartered territory in light of this broad definition. Defining who is an IAWP can be difficult, especially when dealing with an individual that has demonstrated no influence on a prospect. It is also important to note that this is only a secondary violation, and with Coach Izzo sitting out a game, the case is closed. While the penalty seems severe for a secondary violation, this is a new mandate from the NCAA and the Basketball Focus Group by which we will abide.”
This season, Izzo has led the No. 14 Spartans to a 7-3 start.
For more on Izzo and the Spartans, check in with our Michigan State blog, The Only Colors.
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