EAST LANSING – As if the state of Michigan didn’t have enough problems after a 30-point home loss to Iowa on Saturday, now there is this:
The availability of two of the three Spartans’ owners is now in question by going to a Tuesday game in Purdue (7 pm, ESPN).
Rocket Watts tested negative for COVID-19 after leaving Saturday’s game due to symptoms of illness. But Spartans coach Tom Izzo said early Monday afternoon that Watts was still sick and had not trained since Saturday’s game.
Izzo also called Foster Loyer, who started the last four games as a point guard, questionable for the Purdue game with a shoulder injury. Loyer injured his left shoulder last week against Penn State and played with a pair against Iowa.
On Monday afternoon, Izzo said that both players would likely play in Purdue, but he was not sure how far.
“I think they will both be able to play,” said Izzo. “How much or what, I don’t know that.”
This situation forced the state of Michigan to be creative in devising a game plan against the Boilermakers. Freshman AJ Hoggard may play a more important role than in recent games, and Izzo said Joshua Langford or Aaron Henry could step over the guard if necessary.
The latter option would give Michigan State a player out of position as a point guard, but it could allow him to make better use of the depth of the wing and have more kicks on the ground.
“It’s definitely in the game plan that we could use it,” said Izzo. “I don’t think we’re going to start like this, but today, tomorrow we can say.”
A shipowner’s riddle adds to Michigan’s problems after its worst home loss in four decades.
That loss dropped Michigan State to 10-8 overall, creating a small margin of error in a quest to make the NCAA tournament even thinner.
With up to eight games remaining in the season – games previously postponed against Michigan and Indiana have yet to be rescheduled – the Spartans cannot afford to lose much more if they hope to keep their sequence of 22 consecutive NCAA tournaments alive.
Although players say they remain focused on the next game, they are also fully aware of the big picture.
“We all know what is going on and what we need to do,” said striker Malik Hall. “I think it’s more to know that we have to play the best we can, and if we do that, we know that we can make it to the tournament and we can do all the things we need to do to be in the right place. “
Izzo is not concerned about his players feeling that pressure. Every player who comes to Michigan is under pressure to play to a high standard.
“They are human, they listen to Twitter, they know what’s out there, they know they need to win games,” said Izzo. “I don’t think it takes the pressure off them, because I think when you come here, you understand.”
While the state of Michigan seems to be back on track, it will face an opponent that almost won at home last month, before seeing a victory slip out of its hands.
Purdue recovered from a negative 17 points in the second half at the Breslin Center on January 8 to win in a last-second shot by Boilermakers striker Trevion Williams.
Williams finished with 26 points in that game, his second highest total of the season. Delaying him will be among the top priorities of the Spartans, although Izzo has warned him to overdo it and allow him to use his passing skills.
But even if their fight is a challenge, and even if they have doubts as a key position, Michigan State will be happy to return to the court to get the flavor of the 30 point loss in their mouths.
“I think the best thing you can do is play another game,” said Izzo.