Tom Izzo “surprised” by Tre Holloman’s transfer to NC State

After averaging 9.1 points per game on 37 percent shooting from the field and helping Michigan State to the Elite Eight during his junior season, Spartan guard Tre Holloman shocked the college basketball (and Tom Izzo) world when he announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal earlier this month.

In today’s ever-changing world, the transfer portal continues to dominate colligate athletics like college basketball. We have seen various examples over the years of players who were seemingly locked in with their programs, move on to ‘greener grass’. Some could make the case that NIL has ruined college sports with the portal in mind, but in most case scenarios, players and coaches do not make it seem that way.

After Holloman entered the portal, he took some time and eventually found his new home at North Carolina State with new head coach Will Wade.

Which surprised Izzo.

Izzo on Tre Holloman tranferring to NC State: "I was surprised. It was a little bit of a surprise. But Tre wanted some things, too" with playing a "certain position" (point guard). Calls people ripping him "ridiculous."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2025

Wade has previous college basketball coaching experience leading McNeese to the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, even beating Clemson in the first round in 2025. Before McNeese, Wade even coached at schools like LSU and VCU.

Many Spartan and Wolfpack fans have potential expectations as for now, that Holloman will start at the one for NC State. Why is that significant? It could be the only logical reason that Holloman left Michigan State in the first place.

With redshirt sophomore Jeremy Fears being generally considered as the number one option to be MSU’s point guard this upcoming season, there could have been a discussion that led to Holloman seeking another opportunity to bring the ball up the court for another team, as Tom Izzo hinted at.

With all of this in mind, if anyone were to compare Holloman’s senior season to anything, it could be looked at like A.J. Hoggard’s senior year at Vanderbilt this past season, where the former Spartan found a new dynamic role.

And with Holloman leaving via the portal, this adds in a whole new hole in the Spartan’s lineup that needs to be filled by someone with a ton of experience at the collegiate level.