College Basketball World Reacts to Michigan State’s Indiana Upset After Shootings

Michigan State’s uplifting performance became the talk of the college basketball world Tuesday evening.

Tuesday night’s meeting between Michigan State and Indiana at the Breslin Center carried an enormous weight for the greater East Lansing community, as it was the men’s basketball team’s first home game since an on-campus shooting left three dead and five others wounded. With the community still reeling, the Spartans delivered a performance that, for at least a couple of hours, brought some bright moments to people in their time of need.

Michigan State knocked off the No. 17 Hoosiers, 80–65, for its first win since the shooting. Players and coaches from both teams donned shirts that read “Spartan Strong,” which has become the rallying cry for the university in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The Spartans led by seven at halftime and kept the Hoosiers at arm’s length for most of the second half. Tyson Walker led all scorers with 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting, while A.J. Hoggard added 22 points and a team-high five assists.

Unsurprisingly, Michigan State’s uplifting performance became the talk of the college basketball world Tuesday evening. Here’s some of the best reactions on what was an unforgettable night in East Lansing, as well as sights and sounds from the emotional scene.

My VBDI TEAM of the night was the tenacious performance by TOM IZZO’s @MSU_Basketball Spartans . They played with great energy vs a good @IndianaMBB team & win 80-65 . #SPARTONSTRONG was the feeling by the MSU crowd in relation to the recent tragic events on the campus .

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 22, 2023

Wow, Spartans. Wow.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 22, 2023

Michigan State with an emotional home win against Indiana.

Tom Izzo in tears.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 22, 2023

Spartan Strong 💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/aqPDPPCqQw

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) February 22, 2023

Mel Tucker congratulates Tom Izzo after Michigan State’s 80-65 win over No. 17 Inidiana. pic.twitter.com/NZB3CW0g1s

— Ian Kress (@ian_kress) February 22, 2023

An emotional Tom Izzo walking off the court tonight after Michigan State's 80-65. Hugs with Alan Haller and Mel Tucker. pic.twitter.com/80o7ROfO0q

— Thomas Cook (@ThomasCookTV) February 22, 2023

So great to be at the Breslin seeing the Spartan pride on display. Go Green! We needed this! pic.twitter.com/LfvQbLVGEC

— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) February 22, 2023

Just a massive win for Michigan State in front of an emotional home crowd.

Indiana had been on a roll but its Breslin Center horrors continue.

Tyson Walker got State cookin in the first half and Mady/Kohler took on a huge challenge and crushed it.

— Brandon Champion: Low Ego, High Output (@BrandonthaChamp) February 22, 2023