Former Michigan State and NBA player Paul Davis was ejected from his alma mater's Breslin Center after loudly criticizing officials from the stands during the 12th-ranked Spartans' 80-51 win over Southern California on Monday night.
Michigan State led 67-46 with just over six minutes left in the game when officials pointed into the stands to point out Davis, who was eventually told to leave.
Television cameras showed longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo yelling, “What are you doing?” towards Davis with his arms outstretched. Izzo, who coached Davis two decades ago, spoke in more detail about the incident after the game.
“You know, I love Paul Davis,” Izzo said. “Really I do. He's one of my favorite guys. He's always calling and doing something. But what he said, he should never say in the world. It annoyed me.”
Davis, 41, played for Michigan State from 2002 to 2006 and was a three-year starter. His career averages were 13.2 points and seven rebounds, including 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in his senior season.
He played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2006–09 and the Washington Wizards from 2009–10.
Izzo praised Davis for constantly returning to campus and occasionally helping players practice during the summer. Izzo said he wants Davis to keep coming back.
First, however, Izzo said he wanted to talk to his former player about what happened Monday.
“I’ll have to call him tomorrow and tell him what I think about it,” Izzo said. “And you know what? He'll say, “I screwed up, coach. Sorry”. It was as if he was persecuting the official and was 150% wrong.”
