Darius Morris-Kalin Lucas post-game dustup is a dead issue, coaches say
After Michigan guard Darius Morris and Michigan State guard Kalin Lucas got in an end-game kerfuffle Saturday, both coaches said in post-game press conferences that they’d look into it a little more.
On Monday, both Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Michigan’s John Beilein said the issue is done and there would be no more worrying about it.
“I’ve talked to Darius a little bit about it and watched a little bit of film,” Beilein said. “But I’m not going to pursue anything more with it other than to discuss it with him privately.”
Lucas appeared to be bothered by some Morris trash talking after the sophomore drove through the Michigan State defense for a layup at the end of Michigan’s 70-63 win.
Lucas then tossed the basketball toward Morris and the two had to be separated. Both players said it was no big deal, with Lucas saying he and Morris were jawing at each other throughout the game.
“I don’t think anything of it. I’m not going to comment on it,” Izzo said. “It was ridiculous and there was nothing to it. It was two guys jawing and that’s about all I really got out of it.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo disagrees with a call during Saturday's game at Crisler Arena.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
“I apologize ahead of time, but I have no interest in talking about something that was a non-factor.”
That was a more muted opinion than Izzo had Saturday, when he wondered allowed that “maybe (Morris) deserved it.”
If Izzo took umbrage with Morris making a layup with three seconds left, the decision could stem from something Beilein was concerned about earlier this year.
Morris drove to the basket on a fast break late in Michigan’s win at Penn State on Feb. 6 and then pulled the ball out instead of making the easy score. Beilein wanted him to score because it wasn’t a double-digit lead, although he understood the sporting gesture by Morris at the time.
On Saturday, he finished.
Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
trigg7
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
I thought M was classless in the finish..trash talk,easy bucket with no defence. .Enjoy beating a team with a good player that transfered,one kicked off the team and others coming back from injurys. Pay back is hell for acting like fools.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
@Trigg7 your a delusional green fan... there were 3 msu players that tried to steal the ball from D.Morris on his way down the court,at that point it was a 5 point lead,with a steal and a 3pt bucket,anything could happen i.e. the WVU game in which they came to win in seconds...it can happen.if 7 pt win is a blowout,sparty has bigger problems.. Who's fault is it that Allen transferred? and Cory was released?? my guess is that if you don't see it the Izzo way,you see the highway!! and injuries are part of the game !! well see about your pay backs..
Susie Q
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 1:03 a.m.
There was lots of trash talk by MSU players, too. Draymont Green ran his mouth at Jordan Dumars (in street clothes on the bench) at the beginning of the 2nd half. Well, what goes around comes around.
Mick52
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
I think Tom Izzo is a great coach. This year however, against any Big Ten team, he sure seems to whine a lot. Sometimes it looks like he is going to explode he gets so upset.
michboy40
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
This reminds me of Lloyd Carr and his treatment of Tressel. Carr would be so pissed after loosing that he would barely shake Tressels hand. I firmly believe that Carr's inability to solve Tressel was his undoing. Curious to see how it will affect Izzo if he starts loosing consistantly to Belein.
a2roots
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
izzo apparently only remembers what he wants to. Over the past many years he has had the upper hand and pasted us many times. Often he had nothing to gain but to embarrass the UM team. He never called off the dogs. He can cry all he wants. I hope we continue to be competitive and never stop putting points on sparty.
craig
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
What the heck is a kerfuffle... as stated by the author?
Michael Rothstein
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 9 p.m.
Kerfuffle is a small commotion or disturbance.
glimmertwin
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
I watched the game and didn't give the last shot much notice. It appeared that Morris was surprised he had a lane to the hoop and that it was almost an instant reaction to make the shot. It wasn't until I read in the papers about yesterday that I started to question. Lucas was smiling and jawing all game too - it's just part of the game and rivalry. Lucas played well, as did Morris. As far as Izzo's remarks after the game - it is pretty difficult to "turn it off" even if you are a coach. I'm sure many things are said during/after games that probably aren't the best remarks.
Mick52
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
I had the exact same impression. I think Morris thought he would be fouled. Lucas had four fouls and I was thinking maybe he thinks he is too important to draw a 5th foul to save a layup.
Blu-dogg97
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 8:17 p.m.
well said Forever27.. Izzo was whining about D-Morris taking it to rack late,and if you watch the replay he snubbed Beilein,after the game,he gave a short handshake ,never said a word looking away from JB.. shows no class,or sportsmanship !! I was always to believe that coaches are supposed to be mentors ,teachers of the game,and mostly sportsmanship ,and professionalism ... Apparently D.Green was talking bigtime trash to Jordan Morgan throughout the game..Great Job JB,and the young Wolves for showing class,and playing like a team with great effort.. Is nice to sweep msu,and move on,and get away from all the drama surrounding msu this year.. GO BLUE...
Forever27
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
so true blu-dogg. Coaches are the ones that are supposed to set the tone. If they can't act like good sports, how can they expect their players to do it? Like I said in the previous comment, I lost a lot of respect for Izzo on Saturday.
Forever27
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
Izzo didn't seem to think it was a "non factor" after the game. His whining about the layup and "running up the score" was the most hypocritical rant I've seen from a coach in a long time. For him to get up to the podium and act like this after years of keeping his starters in when up 50 points or Durrell Summers going for a dunk to put State up 17 when the shot clock has already been turned off, lets just say that I lost a lot of respect for him after this game.