Forward Jaren Jackson Jr. said with Goins being a stretch power forward and being able to space the floor, his talent will be missed.

“He gives me a break when I need it and he literally does everything right. Kenny’s in the right position at all times,” Jackson Jr. said. “Usually I just follow him in practice to pick up things, so it’s going to be tough not having him.

Izzo said the “tweak” in Goins knee shouldn’t keep him out for long, and is just hopeful his Spartans can get through these next games without his forward.

“It’s a bump in the road, but it also slows our process down of trying to get in rhythm and trying to get a true rotation, especially when you have a lot guys,” Izzo said. “Sometimes coaches will tell you ‘it’s easier when you got seven (players)’ but I don’t believe that. I just feel bad for the kid.”

This is the second player for Izzo’s squad to go down with an injury this season, with Kyle Ahrens aggravating a stress reaction in his right foot during practice earlier this season. 

Izzo said after practice on Wednesday he still has “no idea how fast” Ahrens’ injury is recovering, having different people tell him he’ll have Ahrens back in six weeks and having other people tell him three months.

“If it’s three months, he’s pretty much done, but if it’s eight weeks, there’s a decision to be made and it will be made between him and his family and me,” Izzo said. “We just have no idea.”