The final substitutions occurred with 37 seconds left in the game. As Michigan’s Justin Pippen readied at the line, Fidler, Akins and Zapala, along with Holloman and Kohler, grouped together before hugging each other and preparing for the final subs.

Gehrig Normand replaced Fidler, who bent down and kissed the Spartan head. Then, before Kur Teng replaced Szymon Zapala, a fight broke out.

Michigan’s L.J. Cason and Phat Phat Brooks stood on the Spartan head at midcourt before Zapala could kiss it and say farewell. MSU’s Tre Holloman approached Cason and Brooks, said something to them and shoved them with one hand each.

Holloman, Cason and Brooks continued to go at it while part of both teams’ benches cleared. The incident ended after Holloman and Cason received technical fouls, and MSU head coach Tom Izzo and Michigan head coach Dusty May seemingly agreed while talking to the referee. After the game, May said during a press conference that he was unaware of MSU’s tradition.

"I didn’t know there was a tradition," May said. "Are we not allowed to stand at half-court while shooting a free throw?"

Izzo made remarks about the incident after the game in front of the MSU crowd, as Breslin celebrated the team’s accomplishments.

"We didn’t want to end it with a brawl," Izzo said postgame to the MSU crowd. "We have a freaking tradition here. Nobody is changing our tradition. So Tre, come here a minute. I don’t mind you doing that very often, but this one time, kiss that freakin’ ‘S’ like you’re supposed to."

Akins, Zapala and junior guard Nick Sanders were among the MSU players who cried during the court kissing. The three seniors hugged all players and coaches as they subbed out.

After the game, Izzo asked all former MSU men’s basketball players to step onto the court as the banner was revealed. The team later took a picture with the MSU hockey team, all of whom wore MSU Magic Johnson jerseys. Izzo also mentioned this is the first time MSU men’s basketball and hockey have won the Big Ten in the same year. While the tributes were shown and players held the trophy, the Izzone held up signs that read "Men’s Basketball Champions." Even Izzo’s 98-year-old mother came onto the court with Steven Izzo and stood near Lupe Izzo.

"They knock this building down when all of us are gone and they knock it down and build a new one," Izzo said. "What I have in my will, they better transfer those damn banners to the next building. Banners should stay forever and that’s why I preach it. I hope nobody forgets about days like this.”

The first time Akins scored against Michigan in his career was on March 1, 2022, when he hit a pair of three-pointers. On Sunday, he hit a three-pointer within the first three minutes of the game, setting the tone for himself and the rest of MSU.

Akins hit back-to-back threes in the opening half, similar to his first half performance against Wisconsin. The crowd erupted and MSU took an early lead. It was obvious that he was in his element. He wanted to win, against his rival, for the team he’s been at for all four years, the same school he said he wished to play for when he was younger. He finished the first half with nine points on 3-for-6 shooting, in 15 minutes. He had an exhilarating half, an indication of his final victory lap, a farewell tour from the past four years. 

"I turned a dream into a reality," Akins said postgame during his tribute. "I just want to thank my parents, all my family, all the coaches that helped me get to this point. Just thank you to everybody."

He’s been through highs and lows with MSU. He went from being a bench player to the go-to guy. He’s been a natural leader this past season and a face of MSU basketball. 

"Being a Spartan to me is someone who’s tough, who’s resilient and always puts out their best effort," Akins said. "I feel like it hasn’t always been great, but I feel like I always have positive intentions and always want to do my best to represent the school the right way."

Akins’ last bucket came with less than a minute left in the game. He dribbled toward the key, stepped back and hit a jumper. The crowd flared loudly, almost instinctively knowing these would be his final points in Breslin. He finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Zapala got his only two points of the game with 41 seconds left. He grabbed Akins’ rebound for an easy layup, the ultimate icing on the cake. He finished with two points, three rebounds and an assist. He’s averaged 4.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and started every game this season.

"The thing I’m most proud of would be creating lifelong relationships and memories with amazing people around me," Zapala said in his tribute video postgame. "I’m so happy that I get to be here, I get to put this Spartan jersey on. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the support that I was given."

Fidler, a transfer from Omaha, played 16 minutes against Michigan. All four of his points came within a minute: two from the free-throw line, followed by a layup after driving down the lane.

MSU has relied on Fidler’s free-throw shooting ability. He not only creates fouls but also executes efficiently from the line. On the season, he’s shot 80-for-91, or 88%, the best on the team with the second-most attempts and makes. His ability to hit mid-range shots and convert free throws has been crucial in helping the Spartans secure many victories this season.

"Just seeing other people succeed and it being my teammates is a big deal to me," Fidler said in his tribute. "The players that play are playing for the name in front of their jerseys, more than the back of their jerseys. That’s a big deal."

The Spartans finished the season winning their last seven games and 21 of their last 24. They enter the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis as the No. 1 seed, followed by the NCAA Tournament. MSU is aiming for a No. 2 seed in March Madness, and with the tournament approaching, Izzo knows the importance of minimizing mistakes during stretches of the game.

"Beating your rival is important, and keeping your strength," Izzo said. "Winning is important, but playing better is the most important. You want to play better at this time of the year. I thought we really did for probably 30 minutes, but a stretch that we didn’t, we weren’t very good. Now we enter one-and-done time, which means you’re not allowed a mistake."

MSU will face the winner of the Indiana vs. Oregon matchup on Friday, March 14, at noon in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The game will be aired on Big Ten Network.