Freshman guard Rocket Watts eyes up the Albion defense. The Spartans lead the Britons, 40-25, at half on Oct. 29, 2019 at the Breslin Student Events Center.
Michigan State basketball won’t be able to put their usual starting lineup to the test this Sunday against Rutgers as freshman guard Rocket Watts will sit out with a stress reaction to a bone in his left leg.
“It's nothing that's going to be a lengthy period of time,” coach Tom Izzo said, addressing the injury after Watts sat out of practice Friday with a boot on. “It just drops that two guard thing down one more spot.”
The 6-foot-2, Detroit native has started in all eight Spartan competitions this season. After a rocky start to the season, Watts has made improvements, averaging 6.5 points per game and dominating the team in steals with eight so far.
Freshman Julius Marble also struggled with an injury at Friday’s practice. Izzo said Marble hurt his achilles Thursday night and he expects Marble to sit out for a couple days.
“He might be back for the game but he shouldn't miss any real time,” Izzo said.
As for other recoveries, sophomore forward Thomas Kithier will play this Sunday without his face mask. Kithier has played with a mask to protect his broken nose since Oct. 30, which Izzo saw as altering the 6-foot-8, Clarkston native’s game.
The Spartans will kick off Big Ten play on Sunday Dec. 8 when they host Rutgers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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