by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33
Michigan State will likely be without one of its most dominant players for its Tuesday game against Indiana.
Adreian Payne, the Spartans’ star senior big man, may miss the team’s showdown with the Hoosiers due to a sprained foot that he suffered during the team’s victory over Ohio State on January 7.
Per MLive:
“He’s going to be sort of day-to-day,” [Michigan State coach Tom] Izzo said Monday. “But I’d say doubtful for tomorrow.”
Izzo, who is waiting until Payne is 100 percent pain free before returning him to action, will continue to evaluate him before determining if the senior will be available this Saturday when No. 3 Michigan State (17-1, 6-0) hosts No. 21 Michigan.
“He’s just going to start running,” Izzo said. “In fact he was doing it about a half hour ago. He’ll get better results with no weight on it. They’ve got that machine over (at a rehabilitation facility) where they can take most of the weight off of his feet and see how he feels. That will at least start help determining the length of time (he can play when back).
“We’re preparing like he’s not playing (against the Hoosiers). When we get him, that will be a bonus.”
Payne has been arguably the best big man in the Big Ten this year. The 6-10, 245 lb. Ohio native is averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 assists, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.
