Mikey D

Alright, so there have been rumors all over the internet about a current MSU basketball player looking to transfer out of the program. I've heard Herzog's name (looking for more playing time). Chris Allen's (bad chemistry with team). Sherman (homesick). Thornton (wants more playing time, and could see a reduction in minutes with the incoming freshmen class if he stays). Of course these are all just internet rumors, so who knows, but I've been waiting to hear or read something from a decently reliable source before I posted anything about it.

Well finally the rumor was addressed by The Grand Rapids Press with Tom Izzo. The article mentions two possible names to Izzo, Herzog and Thornton (No Allen, whew). Here are the two snippets about the two:

~"Senior center Tom Herzog, who graduates this year, is looking into the possibility of transferring to a lower-level Division I or Division II school where he could play immediately.

Herzog has yet to make a decision, Izzo said.

“He has a scholarship here, he doesn’t have to go anywhere, and he knows that,” Izzo said.

Herzog’s playing time has been sporadic since the Flint native arrived at MSU and he was one of two Spartans who did not see action in the NCAA tournament."


~"Austin Thornton has not approached him about transferring, despite rumors to that effect, and that discussion will not take place unless the player initiates it, Izzo said.

“I certainly don’t know where that rumor started, and Austin doesn’t indicate it in his workouts, his plans, or his future,” Izzo said.

Thornton, of Sand Lake, played an increasingly important role as last season progressed, and Izzo has said he believes that role could grow in the future."


So it seems like the Thornton rumor is just that- an unfounded rumor- but it seems like Herzog transferring is a real possibility. This is interesting because that would free up a scholarship for Izzo. He could either save it for next year, or find someone in this year's class who has not committed.

And that someone may have already been chosen, or at least targeted. According to various basketball recruiting websites, a small point guard (and small may be a generous term) out of Nevada has reportedly received an offer from MSU. His name is Jon Loyd, a virtual unknown to anybody that follows MSU basketball recruiting, but apparently has been making a lot of noise out west, despite his small stature (he's received offers from Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia, and UCLA is considering him as well).

Here's a highlight video that shows a lot of the top prospects from out west. To save you a little time, you can see Loyd (#24 in white) show off his skills around the 1:50, 2:40, and 3:00 marks.