Tom Izzo does not embarrass former players lightly. But Monday night, he had enough.
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Izzo had Paul Davis, a former Michigan State star, ejected from courtside during the Spartans' 80-51 win over USC Trojans at the Breslin Center.
Davis, who played for Michigan State from 2002 through 2006, was sitting near the court when officials stopped play with the Spartans leading 67-46 and just over six minutes remaining. A referee pointed toward Davis and then walked over to Izzo to explain what had been said.
Izzo's reaction was immediate. He threw his hands up, appeared to mouth disbelief toward Davis, and then motioned for him to leave. Fans seated nearby clapped as Davis stood up and exited.
After the game, Izzo did not hide his frustration, even as he made it clear the issue was about conduct, not personal feelings.
"I love Paul Davis. I really do," Izzo said. "He's one of my favorite guys. He's always calling and doing things. But what he said, he should never say anywhere in the world. And that ticked me off."
UPDATE: Here's the video of former Spartan Paul Davis getting ejected from the Breslin Center & the legend Tom Izzo YELLING at him from the opposite sideline. pic.twitter.com/7WIDhZ29ib
— Isaac Schade (@isaacschade) January 6, 2026
Izzo declined to repeat the comment but explained that Davis directed something toward an official that crossed a line.
"He kind of got after the official, and he was 150 percent wrong," Izzo told reporters. "For a guy like me to 150 percent agree with the officials, it's almost illegal."
Izzo emphasized that the remark was not racial, sexual, or anything of that nature. It was simply something he believed should not have been said.
"It wasn't anything like that," Izzo said. "It was just the wrong thing to say, and I'll leave it at that."
Izzo added that he expects to reach out to Davis to talk through the situation and receive an apology.
Davis was a standout during his time at Michigan State, earning Mr. Basketball honors in Michigan before starring in East Lansing. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2006 NBA Draft and later transitioned into finance. He is now a partner at The Podium Group.
