Michigan State Coach Izzo Reacts to Former Star’s Ejection

UPDATE: In a surprising turn of events during last night’s game against USC, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo expressed his frustration over the ejection of former Spartans star Paul Davis. The incident occurred with just over six minutes remaining in the game, when Michigan State was leading by a staggering 21 points.

Davis, a key member of the Spartans’ 2005 Final Four team, was seated in the stands when he exchanged words with referee Jeffrey Anderson. The game was halted as Izzo approached Anderson, visibly upset. Eyewitnesses reported Izzo’s emphatic outburst, “What the f— are you doing? What are you doing?”

Following the 12th-ranked Spartans‘ commanding 80-51 victory, Izzo commented on the situation, stating, “You know I love Paul Davis. He’s one of my favorite guys. But what he said — he should never say anywhere in the world. That ticked me off.” Izzo confirmed that while Davis’ comment was inappropriate, it was not racial or sexual in nature, emphasizing, “It was just the wrong thing to say.”

This unusual incident overshadowed Izzo’s historic achievement of recording his 750th career victory, placing him eighth among active Division I coaches. Izzo stated he plans to reach out to Davis, saying, “I’m going to have to call him tomorrow and tell him what I thought of it. And you know what he’ll say? ‘I screwed up, Coach. Sorry.’”

Davis, who ranks 10th all-time in Michigan State history with 1,718 career points, averaged 13.2 points and 7.0 rebounds throughout his college career from 2002 to 2006. He notably contributed 14 points and 15 rebounds in the Spartans’ loss to North Carolina in the 2005 Final Four.

During the incident, Davis stood up from his seat when associate athletic director Seth Kesler escorted him out, marking a bizarre moment for fans and players alike. Izzo remarked, “He kind of got after the official and he was 150 percent wrong. And for a guy like me to 150 percent agree with the official, it’s almost illegal.”

Despite the ejection, Izzo maintained that Davis remains an integral part of the Michigan State program. “I need Paul Davis here,” he declared, emphasizing the importance of keeping former players involved with the team.

As Michigan State continues its strong season with a 13-2 record and ranks second nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom, the focus remains on the team’s performance and how this incident impacts their future. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Izzo and Davis address the situation moving forward.