Michigan State’s exhibition game against Hillsdale on Wednesday featured an emotional moment, something not usually seen in a victory as dominant as the Spartans’ 85-43 win.
With 54 seconds left in the second half, fifth-year graduate player Steven Izzo — the adopted son of Spartans coach Tom Izzo — went to the free throw line. After he hit his first free throw, the Breslin Center erupted, and cameras caught a smiling Tom Izzo on the bench with his arms folded.
After he hit the second free throw, the arena rocked even louder, and a camera cut showed an emotional Tom Izzo welling up while covering his face with his hand.
REQUIRED READING: Michigan State basketball’s depth gets workout in 85-43 exhibition blowout of Hillsdale
Steven hasn’t played much throughout his college career, and he hasn’t scored in a regular season game for the Spartans. Although these points came in an exhibition game, it clearly didn’t make the moment any less meaningful.
It wasn’t all smiles, however. About a minute earlier, Steven Izzo had tried crossing over into a step-back 3 and tossed up an airball short of the rim (warning: explicit language used). Yet another camera cut showed a befuddled Tom.
No. 4 Michigan State will open its season Monday, Nov. 6 against James Madison in East Lansing.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tom Izzo emotional as son Steven hits free throws for Michigan State
