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Earlier this summer Michigan State announced that it would honor former legendary Michigan State head coach Jud Heathcote this season after he passed away.
Heathcote was close to current head coach Tom Izzo, who served as an assistant coach under Heathcote before taking over the head coach position when Heathcote retired. Izzo had previously mentioned that he would honor Heathcote by starting the season off playing a possession of zone defense, as well as the team wearing a patch throughout the 2017-18 season.
With Michigan State’s media day this week, the Spartans jerseys and Jud jersey patch were finally revealed.
Spartans have a patch honoring the late Jud Heathcote on their jerseys. pic.twitter.com/yrxHpfEikA
— Jeremy Warnemuende (@JSWarno247) October 11, 2017
“Jud is a unique person,” Izzo said. “It will be a little more difficult. It will be easier when we win a game and he tells me how bad my guards are. I'll be able to relax on that. It will be a little more difficult when we lose a game because he always came with all the good things we did. I'll have nobody doing that now."
The Spartans will host a tribute game to Heathcote on February 10 when the team hosts Purdue. The date will coincide with the teams annual reunion day for former players, bringing plenty of former Spartan greats for what should be a memorable night.
“I can’t wait for that Tribute Game against Purdue. I look forward to seeing so many of his former players paying their respect to a man to whom they owe so much. I know that weekend will involve amazing stories, laughter and tears. Jud had some great battles against the Boilermakers.”