MSU and Michigan share a moment of silence in the first men’s basketball game since the mass shooting
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Bitter rivals Michigan and Michigan State produce a moving moment of silence and unity in the first men’s basketball game since a mass shooting killed three and left five seriously injured
Arch-rivals Michigan State and Michigan shared a moment of silence in memory of those who perished in the East Lansing school mass shooting earlier this week.
Michigan State’s first men’s basketball game since the tragedy was rendered insignificant, but it showed the strength of unity with the Wolverines’ student section as they, and the players, wore custom jerseys that read “Michigan Basketball Supports MSU “.
On Monday night, three students were killed and five seriously injured in a shooting on campus, before the shooter turned his gun on himself.
His pep band also played at the Michigan State alma mater before kickoff. During the moment of silence, the student section held up ‘Spartan Strong’ signs.
Meanwhile, MSU players wore jerseys with the same message. Coach Tom Izzo became visibly emotional during the pregame tribute when Crisler Arena was dimly lit with green and white lights from LED wristbands handed out to fans.
MSU players joined their Michigan counterparts and fans in a moving moment of silence.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was visibly emotional during emotional pregame scenes.
‘In total, we played the game for 2 hours. We played the game to try and get a lot of people in East Lansing and around the world to get away for 2 hours and enjoy the moment. I thought for the most part, we did our part. They just did a little bit better,” Izzo said after the game following MSU’s 84-72 loss.
Kobe Bufkin broke a tie with a 3-pointer after he threw the ball away as the shot clock was running down with two minutes to go as the Wolverines scored the final 12 points to split the season series.
Dug McDaniel led Michigan with 18 points, while Joey Hauser scored 20 points for the visiting school.
The previous Saturday in East Lansing, a moment of silence was held. before the women’s match against No. 8 Maryland. The victims and survivors were honored in pre-game remarks.
Funerals for Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner were held Saturday, while Arielle Anderson’s funeral is scheduled for next week.
Members and fans of both schools gathered before the game in memory of those who died.
Michigan’s student section largely decked out in ‘Michigan Basketball Stands with MSU’ jerseys
A minute’s silence was observed before the women’s game against Maryland early Saturday.