by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33
No. 9 Michigan State annihilated Penn State last night without the services of the team’s starting point guard, Keith Appling, who was ruled out just before tip.
Appling missed the game after aggravating a wrist injury, and according to Spartan head coach Tom Izzo, there is no word on when the senior guard will return.
Via MLive:
Appling’s wrist injury began when he hit the deck against North Carolina back on December 4 and has been re-aggravated multiple times since. Until Thursday night, it had not cost the senior a game. In fact, Appling hadn’t missed a game his entire career.
Now the question is: When will he return?
“I have no idea,” Izzo said. “This has been the most frustrating. It’s beyond disgusting. I have no timeframe. I know he won’t practice tomorrow. Whether he does on Saturday or plays Sunday or whether we’re going (to Wisconsin) without him. I wish I could tell you. If I knew, I’d tell you.”
Appling, who Izzo called the team’s “best defender,” is averaging 15 points, 4.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Spartans.
