Michigan Fans Apparently Defaced The Sparty Statue At Michigan State Tonight

Wolverines fans reportedly festooned Sparty in Valpo gear

Michigan State and Michigan are both in this year’s NCAA tournament field and both play Thursday at The Palace at Auburn Hills, the Spartans at 12:15 p.m. against Valparaiso and the Wolverines at 7:15 p.m. against South Dakota State.

Although the in-state rivals aren’t facing one another, it hasn’t prevented the hostility from flowing.

On the day before the game, it was reported that Michigan State fans were buying South Dakota State gear — expressly for the opportunity to root against the Wolverines.

But it seems Michigan fans have since taken it to another level.

The following photo surfaced on the social news site Reddit early Thursday morning with the claim that Michigan fans had decorated the Sparty statue on Michigan State’s campus with Valparaiso gear.

reddit.com

Word — and confusion — quickly spread on Twitter.

Did Michigan fans really deface the Sparty statue?—
Matt T. (@michiganlions) March 21, 2013

Michigan fans really put shit on the Sparty statue?—
Nick Barnowski (@NickBarnowski) March 21, 2013

lol ok UM fans putting Valpo gear on the Sparty statue is actually kinda funny #IllBeAGoodSport #StillHopeYouLoseInTheFirstRoundAgainThough—
Shlok Kharod (@shlokacola) March 21, 2013

Someone messed with the sparty statue?—
Ashley Moore (@ashy_mo) March 21, 2013

Will Michigan State fans return fire before tip-off tomorrow? Only time will tell.