Tensions Flare Between Michigan State, Michigan During Spartans’ Senior Day Celebration
Michigan State’s 79-62 win over Michigan on Sunday, March 9, ended with a small flare-up during the Spartans’ annual Senior Day celebration.
As Michigan subbed out its three seniors — Jaden Akins, Szymon Zapala, and Frankie Fidler — two Michigan Wolverine guards and junior Tre Holloman got into a midcourt scuffle.
While Michigan was shooting two free throws with 40 seconds left, MSU coach Tom Izzo started subbing out his senior players so that they could kiss the Spartan logo on the middle of the floor at Breslin Center, a tradition MSU has upheld every Senior Day. Two Michigan guards, L.J. Cason and “Phat Phat” Brooks, stood on the logo, and Holloman shoved them to get them to move off it. That confrontation led to a shoving match between the two teams.
Coaches and referees rushed to midcourt to calm tempers and had the two teams return to their benches. After a brief conversation between Izzo and Michigan coach Dusty May, play resumed with free throws from Justin Pippin. Holloman and Cason received dead-ball technical fouls.
Michigan State carried out their substitutions for the seniors, enabling Akins, Zapala, and Fidler to receive a massive standing ovation while kissing the midcourt logo during their final regular season appearance at Breslin Center.
In an interview with reporters after the game, May asked sarcastically whether Michigan players were allowed to stand at halfcourt while the opposing team shoots free throws. The Detroit Free Press reported that May said MSU “earned the right to rub our noses in it. Is what it is. We have to play better. We have to get tougher.”
