OPINION: Saturday’s MSU-UM game will be one of the most memorable in history
Win or lose, Michigan State’s men’s basketball matchup against Michigan this Saturday will be a memorable one, being played just six days after another tragic shooting, this time on MSU’s campus. Three students were killed and five others were wounded.
This won’t be a normal rivalry game. Emotions will be running high for players and fans who are rivals during the game, but friends off the court. We all have friends and family on both sides of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry. Both schools held vigil’s for the victims and the MSU community on Wednesday. It is a reminder that we are all Michiganders.
Michigan’s student section, the “Maize Rage”, will honor the victims of the shooting by wearing ‘Spartan Strong’ shirts, green wristbands, and hoisting a ‘Spartan Strong’ flag in the student section during the game. Both teams will wear ‘Spartan Strong’ shirts during warmups as well, and there will be a 30-second moment of silence prior to tipoff.
Michigan is planning some special activities for Saturday's basketball game against Michigan State:
— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) February 16, 2023
• Special warm-ups and student section shirts recognizing MSU
• A 'Spartan Strong' flag in the Maize Rage
• LED wristbands lit up in green & white during a moment of silence…
Earlier this week, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo spoke at the vigil in East Lansing.
“Virtually all of my adult life, I’ve been a Spartan,” he said. “I’ve seen some incredible highs, and yes, I’ve seen some devastating lows. But as a Spartan, we always get through it together. We’re Spartan tough, and Spartan strong.”
Coach Izzo at last night's vigil: "We need each other. For 40 years, I've always believed at Michigan State, we are at our own strongest when we're together. If any of you need help, please speak up." pic.twitter.com/zN4bs4h9mg
— MSU (@michiganstateu) February 16, 2023
Monday was a devastating low for the whole state of Michigan. Everyone coming together for a men’s basketball game on Saturday may not be an incredible high, but it is light in a time of darkness.
It will be especially hard for the Michigan State players. Izzo said that his son and player, Steven, was at the scene minutes after the shooting without realizing what was going on. Izzo said at both the vigil and at his pre-game press conference one day later that Steven’s experience brought Izzo even closer to the incident.
Basketball isn’t on everyone’s mind right now, maybe not even for the coaches or players. It may be a distraction, but the schools uniting shows how many this tragedy has impacted.
It’s hard to put these events into words, but we will all get through this together. No matter the outcome, Saturday’s game will be one to remember. For those who are struggling, there are many resources at your disposal. The link below includes one of those resources.
It's okay to not be okay. You are not alone. And there is help available when you need it.
— MSU (@michiganstateu) February 16, 2023
Here is a list of crisis support resources: https://t.co/BqfyC1TJps
