Michigan State slipped by USC in the first round of the 2023 NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Friday thanks to a big second half, but coach Tom Izzo went viral for a different reason.
Heading into a timeout in the second half after a heated conversation with an official, Izzo effortlessly snapped his keyboard in one of several overt emotional displays we saw Friday.
But perhaps it’s not quite as easy as the longtime Spartans coach made it look. After the game, former national title-winning Villanova coach turned studio host Jay Wright attempted to recreate Izzo’s angry clipboard snap with less successful results.
Jay Wright attempted the Tom Izzo whiteboard break.
Tougher than it looks 🤣 pic.twitter.com/8IcPW8gR69
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 17, 2023
Compare that to Izzo’s form:
Tom Izzo took his frustration out on a clipboard 💥
🎥 @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/hHJjk7iO8z
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 17, 2023
Now, I’m just going to say it. I find this dubious.
First of all, Wright pretty clearly isn’t putting all his effort into it. I think there may be some theatrics going on here.
If you don’t find that argument compelling, though, may I direct you to Exhibit B, straight from the mouth of one of his former players?
Coach Wright frontin….. he know how to break a clipboard 😂😂
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) March 17, 2023
Something seems fishy here. But hey, maybe Izzo’s just been putting in time in the weight room between games.
