Despite playing an excellent half of basketball where they led UCLA by 11 points heading into halftime, much of the conversation around Michigan State basketball’s matchup against the Bruins has been regarding a heated exchange between Tom Izzo and Gabe Brown.
Michigan State fans (and most fans familiar with Izzo) seem to understand that this interaction is pretty common and comes from a healthy place, but the national media will certainly jump on this moment similarly to how they did with the Aaron Henry argument a few years back.
While many in the media were quick to jump on Izzo for how he handled the situation, it was his former players who came to his immediate defense on social media:
Typical Michigan State exchange… move on RELAX!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 19, 2021
That’s what winning looks like!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 19, 2021
That was one of the parts of Izzo’s coaching style I respected the most. That situation going into the tunnel was nothing! He allows his players to challenge him and he’s coming right back at you! I bet he was hype after all that 😂💯
— Brandon Wood (@BrandonWood30) March 19, 2021
Y’all must not know what it takes to win?? Come on!
This is basketball. Championship basketball. Every possession matters. The kids know it, the coaches know it. If you want to win, it will get heated at times. But hey, not everyone know what it takes to be a Spartan DAWG! 🤷🏾♂️
— Delvon Roe (@DelvonRoe10) March 19, 2021
YOU CAN WATCH THE EXCHANGE HERE.
