The Michigan State men’s basketball team hosted Indiana on Tuesday in what was an heavy game for many Spartans as their first at home since a deadly campus shooting.
Three students were killed and five others wounded last Monday when a 43-year-old man opened fire on the East Lansing campus. Though the Michigan State women played at home Saturday, holding a pregame ceremony to honor the victims, emotions were still raw for the men’s game.
Almost everyone in attendance wore “Spartan Strong” shirts, including the coaching staff, and a moment of silence was held before tip-off. After securing the 80-65 win, all a teary-eyed Tom Izzo could do was bury his head in his hands.
Tom Izzo at the end of tonight's @MSU_Basketball win was so pure. 💚 #SpartanStrong pic.twitter.com/xcimL4VkXs
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 22, 2023
As Izzo walked off the court, he was embraced by Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller.
The two shared a long hug before Izzo walked further into the hallway where he was greeted by head football coach Mel Tucker.
An emotional Tom Izzo walking off the court tonight after Michigan State's 80-65. Hugs with Alan Haller and Mel Tucker. pic.twitter.com/80o7ROfO0q
— Thomas Cook (@thomas_cook11) February 22, 2023
There’s nothing a basketball game could do to bring back the people who lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. But the feeling of community and togetherness present at Breslin Center seemed to be a short respite for everyone effected.
