Michigan State faces 'stern test' against Indiana State

Michigan State returns from its Christmas break with a tough opponent and a thin backcourt.

The Spartans (7-5), who won their last three games before the holiday, host Indiana State (11-1) in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday afternoon.

Spartans freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. suffered a gunshot wound in his leg near Joliet, Ill., last weekend. He underwent surgery and was discharged from the hospital but is out indefinitely. Fears had 10 assists in Michigan State's last game on Dec. 21, a 99-55 win over Stony Brook.

"Any time you're dealing with a bone puts the timetable in jeopardy," coach Tom Izzo said of Fears' potential return this season.

The Sycamores, who haven't played since defeating Tennessee State 90-69 on Dec. 19, carry a 10-game winning streak into the nonconference tilt.

"This is going to be a pretty stern test," Izzo said. "This won't be the normal holiday game that we sometimes have. This is a team with a lot of good players."

Guard Isaiah Swope (19.0) is Indiana State's top scorer, while big man Robbie Avila (16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists per game) presents an all-around challenge.

Avila didn't play in the Sycamores' lone loss, a 102-80 defeat at Alabama on Nov. 10. He has drawn some comparisons with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for his passing ability and court awareness.

"Robbie, he's like a bigger guard," Swope told the Indianapolis Star. "He's super knowledgeable, super smart, really intelligent. Sometimes, he sees things that us guards we don't see. And to be honest, you just got to listen (to him). ... he'll make stuff happen."

Izzo is also concerned with how his team will play after the layoff. The Spartans recorded lopsided victories over previously unbeaten Baylor and Oakland before the Stony Brook blowout.

"Players haven't changed in a hundred years. They'd rather play games than practice," he said. "Coaches haven't changed in a hundred years. They'd rather practice than play games."

—Field Level Media