BTN.com staff, March 25, 2013

During his Monday morning press conference with reporters, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was asked about Minnesota's decision today to fire Tubby Smith as the Golden Gophers head basketball coach. Watch Izzo's reaction and answer in this video clip. The Michigan State coach takes a sip of water and then takes a long pause before answering. "Tubby's a good friend of mine," Izzo said. "So that does hit me a little bit harder."

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Izzo was a vocal defender of Bruce Weber around this time last year when Illinois fired Bruce Weber during the 2012 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. You can watch that clip below.

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