Friday night, for a couple of hours, all is right at Michigan State

EAST LANSING — The band played.

The crowd cheered.

The Spartans won.

Just another winter night at the Breslin Center.

But Friday wasn’t like any other night. Or day, for that matter.

Less than eight hours earlier, Michigan State athletic director, Mark Hollis, sobbed as he resigned in the wake of the Larry Nassar sex-abuse scandal. Roughly two hours later, ESPN Outside the Lines released a 5,947-word report entitled “Michigan State secrets extend far beyond Larry Nassar case.” It detailed damning allegations that Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo have mishandled cases of sexual assault and abuse toward women.

Around 6:30 p.m., hundreds of students rallied and waved signs at “The Rock” on campus, while hearing messages of hope and healing from speakers such as gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer. What was once advertised as a protest against President Lou Anna K Simon turned into a moment of reflection as students marched toward the Hannah Administration Building. Their voices have already been heard. Simon resigned late Wednesday night.

Twenty minutes before tip-off, Dantonio, MSU’s head football coach, marched to the podium deep inside the bowels of the basketball arena and read from a prepared statement. He told hordes of national, regional and local media reporters that the accusations of his handling of sexual assault complaints by ESPN are “completely false.”

He also squashed any rumors that he is going to resign. Izzo echoed those sentiments on his pre-game radio show.

Clearly, this wasn’t just another night in East Lansing.

MORE ON MSU CONTROVERSY:

* Hundreds of Michigan State students rally for sexual assault survivors

* ESPN report puts Mark Dantonio, Tom Izzo and Michigan State athletics under fire

* MSU hid full conclusions of 2014 Nassar report from victim

* Michigan State AD Mark Hollis resigns: 'It's the right time to let people heal'

Some students admitted that it was “weird” to be at a basketball game with the glaring national spotlight illuminating their campus. Others embraced it.

Outside, fans quietly filtered in, not looking like a fanbase going to root on the No. 6 team in the nation. Even the scalpers appeared somber, only one stopping to voice his opinion about Nassar and his crimes against children.

Hollis’ new office at 1855 Place, overlooking the Breslin Center, sat dark. 

However, in the lower bowl of the Breslin Center, thousands of students traded in their white “Izzone” t-shirts for blank teal ones. The color is a symbol of solidarity. A way to pay tribute to more than 150 women, who have said they were sexually assaulted by MSU’s disgraced “Doctor Evil.”

MSU's student section even started a GoFundMe page. As of 10 p.m., it had raised $6,050 of its $6,000 goal. Volunteers also wandered the concourses with teal and gray shoe boxes, collecting funds before the game. The money, the site says, will go to local charities that "promote awareness and healing" for sexual assault survivors.

“It does seem different, but we are showing unity and fighting for a cause,” said MSU freshman Justin Rheaume, who sat in the front row behind the basket wearing a rainbow-colored hat with a propeller on top. “We are showing support.”

Friend and fellow freshman, Sam Tavolacci, who was also sporting a rainbow-themed umbrella hat with “raining 3’s” hanging off the edges, said he hasn’t read the ESPN report. He said he is too busy being a student.

“It’s cool because everyone is coming together,” he said. “It feels good to know we are a community.”

The game still means something.

For MSU sophomore, Alex Isaac, it’s an escape.

“Everyone is here for the basketball game,” she said. “Supporting the team and coming together is one of my favorite parts (about MSU). We are one big, happy family.”

MORE ON MSU BASKETBALL:

* Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's win over Wisconsin and an odd night at Breslin

* Michigan State's Tom Izzo 'definitely not retiring', supports survivors

* Michigan State stays in control for much of 76-61 win over Wisconsin

* When Gabe Brown signed with Michigan State, he fulfilled his late father’s dream

Isaac is not oblivious to the reports that are out there. At this point, she admitted that she doesn’t know what to think.

“I don’t know if Izzo and Dantonio will go down,” she said.

On this night, like every night in this building, Izzo received a loud ovation as he made his way on to the court. Students held newspapers in front of their faces as the Wisconsin starting lineup was announced, just like any other night. When Miles Bridges hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring, papers made a popping sound and were flung into the air, just like every other home game. At halftime, students loudly cheered the floor sweeper. They always do.

The sell-out atmosphere was electric. MSU fans were engaged from the opening tip, jumping and chanting in unison.They taunted Wisconsin shooters. They made their voices heard, once again. 

Helen Berger, another sophomore, said the only thing different about tonight is the fact that hardly anyone is wearing MSU’s famed green and white. She said she is here because she is a Spartans fan, but she is also here to let the survivors of Nassar know that they are supported by the students on this campus.

“I still want to love going here,” she said. “This is positive and a step forward.”

The Spartans rolled to an easy 76-61 victory over the Badgers. Friday night, things seemed almost normal in the Spartans' world, if only for a couple of hours. 

Izzo's much-anticipated post-game press conference focused on survivors. He touched on the game, but failed to answer any questions about the ongoing controversy and the "retirement" of his former boss and good friend, Hollis. Instead, he highlighted the positives. How his team overcame this distraction. How impressed he was to see the teal shirts. Speaking for his team, he even acknowledged the crowd.

"I'm concerned about the healing process," Izzo said. "And I want to be a big part about helping it heal."

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ.