EAST LANSING, Mich. — Tensions heightened at the Breslin Center when Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks and Michigan State guard Tre Holloman clashed on the court late in Sunday’s game. The confrontation occurred as Holloman pushed Wolverines guard L.J. Cason at midcourt. This area holds special significance, as it is the spot where Michigan State seniors traditionally kiss the Spartans’ logo during their final home game, a custom that began with Shawn Respert in 1995.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo commented on the incident, acknowledging the nature of intense rivalries. “That’s what rivalries are all about,” Izzo noted. “If everybody is out there hugging and kissing, it’s probably not a rivalry.”
The altercation took place with 37.2 seconds left on the clock after Justin Pippen, a Michigan teammate, hit one of his two free throws. Holloman approached the Wolverines’ players at center court, shoving Cason in the chest. Brooks reacted by pushing Holloman with both hands, causing a brief scuffle. This prompted officials, along with Michigan coach Dusty May and Michigan State’s assistants, to intervene to calm the emotionally charged players.
Postgame, Coach Dusty May addressed the incident with a note of sarcasm. “Are we not allowed to stand at half court while they’re shooting free throws?” he questioned. “They earned the right to rub our noses in it. We have to play better. We have to get tougher. We move on, and we have to compete for another (Big Ten Tournament) championship this week.”
Despite the altercation, No. 8 Michigan State maintained their tradition, resuming their symbolic gesture of kissing the Spartans’ logo after winning the game against No. 17 Michigan, 79-62. The victory culminated their regular season triumph, securing the Big Ten Conference title by a margin of three games.
Amid the postgame celebrations, Izzo called upon Holloman, who is a junior, to partake in the school’s revered tradition of kissing the court’s logo. “No shame in your tradition,” Izzo declared to the exuberant fans.
