Tre Holloman transfer announcement a stern reminder of college athletics landscape

On Tuesday afternoon, news broke that beloved Michigan State basketball guard Tre Holloman would enter the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining. The news was shocking to Michigan State fans everywhere, as it came less than 48 hours after Holloman tearfully discussed how much the Elite Eight loss meant to him.

But in the college athletics world in 2025, there should be no surprises.

Tom Izzo has felt like the barrier protecting Michigan State’s basketball program from the ebbs and flows of the transfer portal. For the most part, Izzo’s unwillingness to use the portal has been reciprocated by his own players remaining loyal to the program.

But it was only a matter of time until someone, or something, tested that relationship. As much emphasis as Michigan State puts on culture, this move is a reminder that this current system isn’t a safe haven for anybody.

We have no idea what drove Holloman’s decision. Perhaps it’s an indication that Jase Richardson is leaning towards returning for his sophomore season. Perhaps another program is promising more playing time or NIL money. Perhaps there is no definitive reason, and he’s curious to see what opportunities exist elsewhere.

Regardless of the reason, this situation is what it is. A system with no guard rails will naturally breed chaos. And while it’s been avoided in East Lansing for several years, it wasn’t going to stay away forever.

Michigan State basketball fans are naturally upset, because Holloman was the heartbeat of the 2025 Spartans. He energized them on the court, and his mentality epitomized what it meant to be a “Spartan Dawg”. And while his immediate entry into the transfer portal may feel like treason, it’s simply the product of the new, transactional relationships within college sports.

Don’t be upset with Tre Holloman. He has his reasons for his decision. Those will likely become apparent at some point. Because despite what you may think is owed to you as a fan, this is a personal decision for the players. Just like you and I, these players need to make the best decisions for themselves.

But if you’re upset, I can’t blame you. This one is tough to stomach. But your anger should be directed at a broken system. A system that encourages this type of tampering while the season is still ongoing. A system that has no governing body, with no threat of rule enforcement or punishment. A system that, in theory, benefits the players, and nobody else.

Tre Holloman won’t be the only beloved Spartan to exit East Lansing under questionable circumstances. He’s simply the first. And as upset as people are, the questioning of his loyalty during the games this past weekend is downright absurd. The emotion he displayed after the loss to Auburn makes it impossible to argue that his heart and head were anywhere else.

Speaking of emotion, this type of move is yet another reminder that it may not be worth it to be as emotionally invested in college athletics as it used to be. The landscape has changed. As the players become closer to professional athletes, and further away from students, so do the relationships for all involved.

If you’re one of these people that feels personally attacked by these decisions, it might be time to reevaluate the use of your free time, and hobbies you allow yourself to get emotionally attached to. This ain’t your father’s Big Ten. UCLA and USC are in the league now, for crying out loud. That decision, like 99 percent of other transfer portal moves, is not personal. It’s just business.