This year’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 really shows how much continuity and chemistry still matter in college basketball. Even in an era of wild NIL deals and nonstop transfers, a handful of programs have stuck to the old-school script and, honestly, it’s working for them.
Purdue, Duke, Michigan State, and Iowa are proving that developing players over several years and building a strong team culture can still get you deep into March. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
The Power of Continuity in College Basketball
The college hoops world has changed a ton thanks to NIL and the transfer portal. Yet, the Sweet 16 is full of teams who’ve held onto their core guys, and it’s paying off.
Teams that keep their main players for a few years seem to have an edge, even if it takes patience and a little luck.
Purdue’s Old-School Approach
Purdue is probably the best example of this. The Boilermakers are back in the Sweet 16, leaning on a group that’s been together for years.
Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn combined for 22 straight points in a huge win over Miami. These guys have grown up together in the program under Matt Painter, and you can see it in the way they play.
Key Factors in Purdue’s Success:
- Recruiting players that fit their program
- Developing talent over time
- Building a strong team culture
Duke and Michigan State: Stability Leads to Success
Duke and Michigan State have also kept things steady. Both teams start lineups made up entirely of players who’ve never played college ball anywhere else.
That kind of stability lets coaches really get to know their guys—what makes them tick, where they shine, where they need help. It’s not easy to pull off these days.
For Tom Izzo at Michigan State, having seniors like Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler is almost unheard of now. Izzo’s knack for keeping and developing talent is a huge reason the Spartans are still standing.
The Impact of New Coaches and Transfers
Not every team in the Sweet 16 got here by keeping the same faces. Some have had to deal with new coaches and a bunch of transfers, but they’ve figured it out anyway.
Iowa and Texas, for example, have both managed to stay competitive even while switching things up at the top.
Iowa’s Seamless Transition
Ben McCollum took over at Iowa, and he somehow kept a core group together. Several players followed him from Drake, which made things a lot smoother.
Four of Iowa’s starters have played for McCollum at both schools. That’s rare, and it’s helped create a real sense of loyalty and trust in the locker room.
Key Elements of Iowa’s Success:
- Retaining core players through coaching transitions
- Building a sense of loyalty and commitment
- Establishing a strong foundation with experienced players
Texas Navigates Change
Texas has been through some turbulence too, bringing in Sean Miller as the new coach and watching a bunch of players leave. Even so, Miller’s used the transfer portal well enough to keep the team in the hunt.
Adjusting on the fly isn’t easy, but Texas has managed to stay relevant—no small feat considering all the moving parts.
The Value of Team Culture and Loyalty
One thing that keeps coming up with these teams is just how much culture and loyalty matter. Players who stick around seem to buy in more, know what their team’s about, and play for something bigger than themselves.
Iowa State’s Pride and Consistency
Iowa State’s a great example. Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic have really embraced what coach T.J. Otzelberger is building there.
The pride and steady work ethic in that program are obvious. You can tell these guys care about the Cyclones’ identity and each other.
Key Factors in Iowa State’s Success:
- Embracing team values and identity
- Developing a sense of pride and consistency
- Fostering strong work habits and commitment
Tom Izzo’s Family-Like Atmosphere
At Michigan State, Tom Izzo is famous for treating his players like family. With guys like Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler sticking around, he’s built some pretty deep relationships.
That family vibe? It’s a huge part of why the Spartans keep finding success, year after year—even when the game keeps changing around them.
A Throwback to a Bygone Era
This year’s Sweet 16 really takes you back. There was a time when college basketball felt different—players stuck with their teams for years, and fans actually got to know them.
Now, seeing teams thrive on loyalty and sticking together, it’s almost jarring compared to all the transfers and NIL deals dominating the headlines. There’s something special about that kind of stability, isn’t there?
Purdue, Duke, Michigan State—these programs seem to have found a formula that goes beyond trends. Maybe it’s not flashy, but building a real team culture and loyalty? That stuff still matters.
If you’re curious about how continuity and team culture are shaping this year’s NCAA Tournament, the full article digs in deeper: era of NIL and transfers in the Sweet 16.
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