Chicago papers chime in

    A day later, the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune address the Izzo-to-Bulls speculation here and right here.

    As far as I'm concerned, this topic is blog-worthy only until it gains some actual legs, which seems to be cast in doubt by the guys who cover the Bulls.
    A couple things I'd like to refute: First, some of you are ripping on Yahoo! for its story, but understand that Dan Wetzel is a top journalist and has no agenda here. He was the second byline on the story and he quoted Izzo accurately; Izzo has said that kind of thing more than once before. When Izzo told me he wasn't sure if he'd listen, that didn't necessarily contradict what he told Wetzel. Izzo was pressed, on a specific situation, and he said he wasn't sure about that specific situation. I still think, for the record, that he'd sit down and listen if contacted. The only part of the Yahoo! story that I don't get is the "it's believed he would have become the Kansas coach...." stuff, because that's making way too many assumptions, and because I believe the NBA is the only thing that could lure Izzo from East Lansing.
    Second, the Tribune story said sources "downplayed Izzo's chances, and some viewed the story as a power play by Izzo to get paid more by Michigan State." The problem I have with that is, Izzo claims he hasn't been contacted and certainly acted surprised when presented with the situation Wednesday. So how is he pulling a power play? Unless someone knows something about Izzo actively campaigning for this job and isn't saying it, that's a reach to say the least.
    So that's the latest word on this, and it just might be the last word, too.

Comments

[Chris]

Joe, great job getting the quotes from Tom yesterday morning. PTI, SunTimes, and the Tribune should have given you some recognition for the story.

[Mark Feather]

Joe, I'm even more impressed that you used the tool for a url link in this blog. Well done!

[Spartan95]

Tom Izzo SHOULD and will listen to every school/organization that comes courting. Why, because he's human and we all long to be stroked about how good we are at what we do. Simple human nature. I think one of these days coach will surprise us and take the challenge because that's what he loves more than the money, and Spartanville should send him with a blessing because he's worked his a$$ off so we could look forward to crushing Michigan and March Madness. Coach, if this is your day and the Bulls make an offer, take it and God bless. You don't owe us a thing and you owe yourself the chance to say you tried. There will always be a college gig drooling at the chance to snatch you back up if it goes south.

[nadbadman]

izzo..please don't go...my son and myself will go into hiding...go green

[booster]

Even if Izzo badly wanted this job, he would not get it. No way bulls hire another college coach.

Izzo is here to stay. For now

[SpartylawinDC]

It would be a bad move on Izzo's part to leave MSU for the NBA. Why?? Because he's a living legend in East Lansing and will be immortalized in the lores of Michigan State sports, that's why. You don't leave the 8th largest university in the U.S. for a baskeball team that's in the gutter. Yes, I see the point in taking a challenge, and I am all for that, but Izzo still isn't finished with Michigan State basketball. He's already said that his goal is to turn this program into a North Carolina or Duke. We're close, but not quite there. Yes. we're closing in on blue blood status since ESPN ranks MSU in the top 10 for powerhouse programs in hoops, but we're definitely at the bottom of that top 10. And Kansas winning the National Title this year didn't help us either, since we can no longer claim that MSU has the same number of National Titles as KU. Seriously, you want to see how much more Izzo can do for this program, you need to go no further than Tobacco Road and go into some of the college stores in Durham and on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and see how glorified the hoops progams are at Duke and UNC. MSU has a heck of a history with Jud, Izzo, Magic, Special K, and the list goes on and on, but Izzo knows that he needs one more National Title to get us to the status that he wants MSU to rest in amongst the other blue bloods in college hoops. Izzo has plenty of challenges left at MSU. Stick it out Izzo -- SpartanNation needs you to complete the journey to become the elite of the elite!!

[Mike]

Spartan fans. We should never take Tom Izzo for granted. Winnning 25-30 games and going to the NCAA tourney every year is an accomplishment not many schools can brag about doing consistently year in and year out. We are lucky to have a class act like Tom Izzo who is passionate about the school, the kids, and the game. I agree that if the day comes for Tom to move on I will wish him the best and root for him and whomever he decides to coach. In the meantime, the best thing we can do to keep him around is to let him know how much he is appreciated by his MSU family every chance we get. Thank you Tom Izzo not just for the wins and championships but for the way you do it.

[Dietz]

Izzo has plenty of challenges in East Lansing if that is what he is looking for. How about that Big Ten title that has eluded us for so many years now?

I'm not saying this to rip Izzo. I worship the ground he walks on and appreciate what he has done for the program. But there is room to move the program to higher levels if he chooses to stay.

[Bob]

can you give any more updates?

[BLD4MSU]

Hey Joe!
Did you ask Coach Izzo how his recruiting of Jamil Wilson is going?

[Travis]

some guy on spartan tailgate is saying 5 years 35 million.

[Steve Kraai]

Coach Izzo has said for years how much he loves to teach college kids to play basketball. I hope its true because he is not going to teach a bunch of ego driven men how to play basketball the way he wants them to. I hope Coach Izzo can set his pride aside an say this is for the kids, the community, etc. Coming from the U.P. I believe he understands the importance of teaching young athletes. Coach Izzo I believe is a man of truth an this will tell.

[xwing]

i can see why the bulls would be interested in izzo. izzo is a winner and a competitor. i wouldn't bet against him being able to do anyting. it was funny how much he got into coaching the green team in the green/white football game and how he ripped dantonio for taking away a couple of the green teams sacks when he was interviewed midway through the 4th quarter. it is almost impossible for college coaches to make the transition into pro game and i can only think of two succesful jumps in recent memory: larry brown and jimmy johnson (can anyone think of more?). i think izzo's style is more suited for college but like i said i wouldn't bet against him.

[xwing]

i agree with joe it is a long shot at this point him going to chicago. i think it is far more likely a pro assistant or a former pro coach (like larry brown) gets hired but i wouldn't be suprised if izzo gets another opportunity at a pro job he takes it. what else does he have to prove or accomplish at msu? someone like izzo loves a challenge and coaching at the pro level is about the only thing left (short of coaching football). my guess is if he was offered the bulls job and they dangled enough money in front of him it would be a 50/50 chance he would take it.

[xwingdma]

holy cow has anyone noticed the large number of underclassman declaring for the nba draft? it is crazy. i might be making too much of it but doesn't that benefit msu?