MSU's Tom Izzo Thanks Indiana University For 'Classy' Hosting

BLOOMINGTON, IN — High energy filled Assembly Hall at IU Bloomington Saturday as Tom Izzo and Michigan State came to town for a Big Ten match up. Indiana Basketball fans tell Patch the hollering began when the opponents came out on the court for warm-ups and continued throughout the entire game, as MSU came out on top 63-60.

However, The Detroit News reports Indiana's student section didn't take any shots regarding the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal, where the victim count exceeds 250. The news outlet says Indiana University made sure to let students and fans know it would not accept any tasteless comments, hollering, low blows and more from those in the venue, as officials sent an e-mail to student season-ticket holders and placed handouts on every seat.

“This is Indiana. This is our house. This is the loudest, largest and best fanbase in the country,” the message read. “We are Hoosiers and we respect all of our opponents that take this court. We cheer and chant in a positive manner that does not belittle our opponents with degrading language and behavior. Especially today, our thoughts of support are with the survivors at Michigan State and nothing may be said or done to reference them in a negative way. We have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior and you will be removed from the game if you do not cooperate. We thank you for your support and Go IU!”

It didn’t go unnoticed by Izzo, who continued to wear a teal ribbon pinned to his suit coat in support of sexual assault survivors, as The Detroit News says he's been hit with questions recently about a recent ESPN report (there were no ESPN reporters in Saturday's postgame press conference) that MSU's basketball and football programs have had issues with the handling of sexual assaults.

"I’m probably going to sound a little bit like an IU fan but I do want to publicly thank IU,” The Detroit News reports Izzo said. “I want to thank their president, AD, coach, players, fans, and students. Whatever they sent out was very classy and well done, and very much appreciated, handling themselves without some of the things that needed to be said. I take my hat off to them."

The Detroit News reports Izzo also said, "I just think it’s inappropriate for me to say anything right now. Our whole focus has really, because I’m trying to keep things on the up and up, our whole focus has been the healing process for the survivors, the healing process for our university and our community and for me to coach our basketball team. So, I don’t have a date, but the day will come sometime. I promise.”

More details: detroitnews.com

Photo credit: Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo watches his team play in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan State won 63-60. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)