Usually March involves people getting upset about their bracket being busted. This year people are upset about a coach yelling at his player.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo yelled at one of his players during a timeout. Tom Izzo, the coach who has been to seven Final Fours and nine Big Ten championships during his 24 years at Michigan State. During that time he has yelled at many players. What was different about when he yelled at Aaron Henry in 2019? The outrage culture that exists.
What was great about it was how many players rushed to his defense. Not only do Izzo's players love him, but the success of his program is built around players staying all four years of college and getting their degrees. In an era of college basketball where players look to play the one required year of college basketball before heading to the NBA, Izzo does things the old-fashioned way. That's not to say there aren't any one and done players at Michigan State, but it's far from the norm.
For Michigan State Spartan Draymond Green took to TWitter to explain the interaction between Henry and Izzo. He gave some unique insight as to why the exchange became so heated.
Just an FYI. Being in those huddles for years. Cassius and Matt grabbed Iz so he could shut up and move on... after a while you’re just ready for him to draw up the play. Just giving perspective from someone who’s been apart of those huddles.
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 22, 2019
And the reason he wouldn’t stop is because Aaron Henry kept talking. However, what the world doesn’t know is that Iz loves the kid who will challenge him back more than anything! So there’s some insight For you all!!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 22, 2019
So, Young Fella keep standing up for yourself and don’t back down. And Iz keep leading the program! We on a mission.
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 22, 2019
Green gave credit to both Izzo and Henry. Imagine that. A heated exchange during an emotional moment. And nobody was hurt.
It's a shame that the media jumped all over this and had people questioning Izzo. This is where Scott Van Pelt stepped in and laid everything out perfectly during his nightly "One Big Thing" segment that airs on his midnight eastern episode of SportsCenter. While he said this wasn't about "snowflakes" or "being soft" that's exactly what this rant was about. He lays out perfectly why it's about snowflakes being soft.
Scott Van Pelt Destroys the Snowflake Outrage Culture
One Big Thing pic.twitter.com/2t9Y9u2JjD
— Stanford Steve (@StanfordSteve82) March 23, 2019
To be honest, it's been a long time since we've written anything positive about ESPN.
While there were people upset about the exchange, you know who wasn't upset? 19-year-old Aaron Henry or any of the people close to the situation that knows the relationships that Izzo builds with his players. You know who was upset? Sports magazines who were looking to get clicks.
