EAST LANSING – Denzel Valentine said this could end up a “blessing,” some unintended adversity leading to a stronger Michigan State team when he returns to lead it.
That’s the sunny outlook on a knee injury that has sidelined Valentine for four straight games entering today’s potentially tricky trip to Penn State (noon, Big Ten Network).
“It might help our team in the long run,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said Thursday, after the Spartans crushed Illinois, 79-54, at Breslin Center without Valentine. “It sure as hell ain’t helping me.”
The longer it goes, Izzo said, the more it could throw off the No.