Tom Izzo travels to Texas to watch Jabari Parker

Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo hopped on a plane and made it to Texas in time to watch No. 1 high school basketball recruit Jabari Parker play against DeSoto (Texas) High on Thursday, but Parker didn't exactly shine in the ESPN-televised game. In his second game back from a broken foot, Parker scored just five points, which is the same number of travels he was called for in the game. Parker's Simeon (Illinois) lost the contest, 67-57. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was also in attendance.

Parker has narrowed his list of possible colleges down to just five schools - Michigan State, Duke, Florida, BYU and Stanford - and he will announce his decision at 4 p.m. on Dec. 20. Parker and his family are Mormons, so BYU seems like a natural fit from that perspective, but Parker isn't tipping his hand as to where he might land (via the Detroit Free Press):

"I still have doubts, so I'm not fully there. But I'll have it by that day. It's just a commitment. It's not like I'm signing. It still gives me room to make plans in case anything goes otherwise."

Izzo certainly thinks Michigan State is still in the running. Why else would he have bolted from team practice to hop on a plane and fly south for a high school basketball game?