Spartans' Henry after Izzo's actions: 'I didn't think it was a big deal'

Tom Izzo's actions overshadowed Michigan State's win on Thursday when the head coach was caught on camera verbally berating forward Aaron Henry.

Coaches mistreating players became a social media talking point following the confrontation. But the outcry afterward surprised the freshman, who downplayed the moment.

"I didn't think it was a big deal," Henry said, according to Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo. "Someone had to tell me that I went viral after the game, and I'm like really? For that? Wow."

"I was playing so bad, offense, defense, I haven't played like that before," he added. "It's OK, he's going to yell, it's what he does. Can't listen to how he says it. Just what he says."

The incident occurred during a timeout in the second half with the Spartans on a 10-0 run. Izzo marched toward Henry and began yelling at his starting forward, forcing star junior Cassius Winston to step between the two.

"Coach is filled with passion and emotion and love, you know, those are the main things that make him as great as he is," Winston said. "When he's getting after you or when he's yelling it's never out of harm. It's never out of hate. It's literally him wanting the best for you and him challenging you and pushing you the best you can be and it's worked for years and years and years.

"He's a great coach and even a better person. Him yelling, he is the first one to yell and he will be the first one to cry when something bad or good happens. It's all emotion and it's all him caring for you."

Henry finished with eight points and three rebounds in 29 minutes.

The No. 2-seeded Spartans face No. 10 Minnesota on Saturday.