Michigan To Honor Michigan State During This Weekend's Game

Although it certainly isn't the most important thing in times like these, sports can often provide a brief escape from an otherwise difficult reality. Just days after a shooting on Michigan State's campus that took the lives of three students and injured several others, the Wolverines and Spartans will proceed as planned with the men's basketball game this weekend.

On Thursday, the University of Michigan announced that it plans to honor its in-state rival in several ways during Saturday's contest in Ann Arbor.

The University of Michigan basketball team (14-12; 8-7 B1G) hosts intra-state rival Michigan State (16-9; 8-6 B1G) at Crisler Center in the Spartans first game since the tragedies that occurred on campus. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. with a national broadcast on FOX with Gus Johnson and Jim Jackson.

Michigan Athletics has been preparing recognitions for the Michigan State University victims and community, including:

Specially designed team warm-up shirts for the team
(2,000) specially designed t-shirts for Maize Rage & student ticket holders
A moment of silence (approximately 30 seconds)
A 12x8 foot “Spartan Strong” Flag in the Maize Rage student section
The U-M Pep Band learning, and performing, MSU’s alma mater
Lighting Crisler Center Green & White during the moment of silence using programmable LED wristbands distributed to all fans upon entry

Michigan will hold its annual “Maize Out” where fans are encouraged to wear maize clothing. Additionally, at halftime, U-M will honor the 10-year anniversary of the Wolverines 2013 run to the Final Four and national title game as former head coach John Beilein, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Nik Stauskas and Spike Albrecht are among the list of returning team members.