MINNEAPOLIS -- Soon before Tom Izzo was scheduled to fly home to Iron Mountain, Michigan, for his father's funeral, his team sent him off with a gift to let them know they were thinking about him.
Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine presented his coach with the game ball following the Spartans' 69-61 win at Minnesota.
"I can't imagine what he's going through right now," Valentine said. "It was tough to come up with some words, but I just talked from my heart and sent my condolences out to him and his family."
The Spartans' win over Minnesota capped a busy and emotional week for Michigan State's 21st-year basketball coach.