Official Site of the Spartans · Jan 6, 2016
Grinz On Green: Spartans Progress Without Valentine
Doctors removed a small piece of loose cartilage from Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine’s knee on Dec. 21 as a precaution against potentially bigger problems down the road.The Spartans feel playing a fourth-straight game without their do-it-all leader in Thursday night’s Big Ten home opener against Illinois will have a similar safeguarding effect on the team as it sets its sights on conference and NCAA Tournament championships.
Michigan State (14-1, 1-1 Big Ten) held off Oakland in its first game without Valentine’s team-high points, rebounds and assists; stumbled mightily in the league-opening loss at Iowa; and banded together to find a way to beat Minnesota last Saturday.