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Brianna Williams, ESPN
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo and Oakland Golden Grizzlies head coach Greg Kampe decided to showcase their playful side Tuesday night by wearing festive Dr. Seuss-inspired attire.
The longtime friends and frequent rivals spread holiday cheer in matching Grinch sweaters, complete with the iconic green character’s grumpy face and mischievous smirk. The lighthearted gesture underscored the camaraderie between two coaching legends who have been cornerstones of Michigan’s basketball scene for decades.
Izzo, with eight Final Four appearances and a 2000 national championship, and Kampe, the winningest coach in Golden Grizzlies history, shared a moment during the game that went beyond their competitive personas.
“It’s the respect I have for him, it’s good for our state,” Izzo said of his rivalry with Kampe in 2019. “It’s become a little miniature rivalry. It’s not Michigan-Michigan State … Every one of them is packed. That thing is packed every year, no matter where we played, and give him credit, because they’re always competitive.”
With their Grinch-themed fashion statement, Izzo and Kampe showed that sometimes the best way to celebrate the holiday season is with humor, friendship, and, of course, hoops.
Michigan State HC Tom Izzo and Oakland HC Greg Kampe are wearing Grinch sweaters 😂 pic.twitter.com/8msyE23SRw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 18, 2024