Brett Davis-Imagn Images
In theory, everything should be sunshine and roses for Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo.
After all, Izzo has long established himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats, and the Spartans are yet again a contender this year after starting the season 13-2 and ranked No. 12 in the latest AP Poll.
But sometimes things aren’t always what they appear to be. And that’s been the case for Izzo company thus far this season.
First, he was up in arms over fellow college teams going to the G League and European leagues to add players to their roster in the middle of the season who have already been selected in the NBA Draft.
Now, Izzo is feuding with one of his own former players after a bizarre ejection during Monday night’s victory over USC.
Tom Izzo Calls Out Ex-Michigan State Player Paul Davis Over Ejection
The Spartans led USC by 21 points with just over six minutes remaining when Davis — a starter for Michigan State’s 2004-2005 Final Four team — said something seemingly inappropriate to referee Jeffrey Anderson, who stopped the game to talk to Izzo.
Tom Izzo to one of his former players in attendence:
“What the f*ck are you doing?”
Former Spartan Paul Davis was ejected from the game 😳 pic.twitter.com/1wG5GiHs8h
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) January 6, 2026
Anderson ejected Davis from the game, and Izzo immediately looked across the court and yelled, “What the f— are you doing? What are you doing?” at his former pupil.
After the game, Izzo said Davis fully deserved the ejection.
“You know I love Paul Davis. I really do He’s one of my favorite guys,” Izzo said after the 80-51 victory. “He’s always calling and doing things.
“But what he said — he should never say anywhere in the world. That ticked me off. Just because it’s 25, 20 years later, I’m going to have to call him tomorrow and tell him what I thought of it. And you know what he’ll say? ‘I screwed up, Coach. Sorry.'”
Izzo clarified that Davis’s comment was neither racial nor sexual, but that his former player was in the wrong and that he “150 percent” agreed with the official.
So, safe to say Izzo and Davis are in for an awkward phone call in the near future.