Michigan’s most famous rivalry is with Ohio State, but in-state nemesis Michigan State makes itself known during basketball season. The Wolverines fell to the Spartans in East Lansing 79-62 Sunday in a blowout regular season finale. Given it was the last home game of the season, Michigan State seniors were coming off the floor for the last time.
The Spartans have a tradition of seniors kissing the floor before leaving it for the final time, but Michigan wasn’t completely aware, and a scrum ensued.
Dusty May on senior day scrum against Michigan State
With 37 seconds left in the game, Michigan State senior center Szymon Zapala was checking out for the final time. Per tradition, Zapala was going to kiss the Spartan logo at halfcourt before heading to the bench.
While he was hugging a teammate, MSU junior guard Tre Holloman walked up to Michigan freshmen guards LJ Cason and Phat Phat Brooks standing at halfcourt. Holloman proceeded to shove Cason and Brooks and initiate a scuffle.
Michigan head coach Dusty May is in his first season at the helm, and his team is full of transfers with no connection to the Spartans. May said the Wolverines had no way of knowing the specifics of the tradition.
“Do I know the customs and traditions of any other Big Ten school? No, I don’t and won’t know until I experience it,” May said at a press conference Monday. “I don’t watch Michigan State documentaries, I (didn’t) have a Sparty foam finger growing up, so I have no idea what they do.
“I know this: the officials walked over and said that they have a tradition on senior night where their players kiss the logo as they’re coming off the floor, it’s going to take some time. Great, that’s awesome. These seniors deserve it, and on top of that these guys earned a Big Ten championship. I have a lot of respect for what that team did this year.”
May said the only reason Cason and Brooks were standing on the logo was to prevent a quick transition bucket after Michigan’s free throws.
“… Keep in mind Coen Carr had just gotten a layup a couple minutes before on the last free throw. We missed a free throw, he sprints passed us, they advance it, and we talked about being more alert on free throws,” May recalled. “LJ and Phat are at halfcourt, Frankie Fiddler comes out of the game, kisses the floor, hugs his teammates – this is all off memory – no issues whatsoever. Kisses the floor, goes out, does his thing.
“I think maybe they’re subbing in for another senior at that point, and our guys are standing at the exact spot they were when Fiddler kissed the floor, not doing anything other than just standing there. Then out of the blue, they’re still standing at halfcourt, and the Michigan State player comes up and two-hand shoves them in the chest.”
After a few minutes went by, things calmed down and the game finished with no issues. May said the Wolverines represented themselves properly throughout the situation.
“… I’m very proud that our guys didn’t retaliate in a different matter that could cost them playing in the Big Ten tournament,” May said. “To have that self-restraint and self-discipline and realize that they’re representing Michigan the way they do, I was very proud of that moment because that could’ve gotten really ugly.”
May recently signed a five-year contract extension, so Sunday was far from his final game in East Lansing. As for next season and beyond, May said he’ll tell his team to keep their eyes peeled.
“… Keep your antennas up for whatever that behavior was,” May said. “They’re so fast in transition, I’m giving them credit for that as well, (so) I’d tell our guys to move back ten feet. But as far as knowing the position we’re supposed to stand and things like that for Michigan State senior day, I wasn’t aware.”
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