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Michigan State Basketball: Current, former players wish Tom Izzo happy birthday

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Current and former Michigan State basketball players backed Tom Izzo’s character and wished him a happy birthday.

It’s been quite the week for Tom Izzo and Michigan State. During a time that should be spent thinking of and helping the victims of Larry Nassar, the head coach has instead been forced to deflect questions regarding his handling os assaults by former players.

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ESPN‘s ‘Outside the Lines’ released a report stating that Izzo and Mark Dantonio have been part of a cultural problem in East Lansing and insinuated they covered up assaults — which has since been shot down as ESPN is avoiding the term “cover-up” at this point.

That happened on Friday afternoon and the Hall of Fame head coach had to lead his team into battle that night against Wisconsin. The Spartans were able to come away with a 76-61 victory, but hit the road the next day to prepare for an away game against Maryland less than 48 hours later.

The Spartans then beat Maryland in a gutsy come-from-behind effort where shortly after the final buzzer, Izzo praised his team’s performance. However, before he could do that, he was grilled with questions relating to the ESPN report by ‘Outside the Lines’ reporter Tisha Thompson.

Fast forward to Tuesday and plenty of players, current and former, have rushed to his side to defend his character. Also, Tuesday happens to be Izzo’s 63rd birthday.

Plenty of current and former players stepped up to wish their coach a happy birthday.

https://twitter.com/Marcusbingham0/status/958453333643153408

These are just a handful of the birthday wishes for the head coach as it seems like he touched so many lives.

Next: MSU Basketball: Top 7 targets to watch in 2019 class

We will update this list as more birthday wishes roll in from current and former players.

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