Spartans head to The Garden
EAST LANSING - The Spartans may need rest, but they're certainly not going to get it this week. No. 7-ranked Michigan State (6-2) is headed to New York's Madison Square Garden to take on No. 8 Syracuse (8-0) and is scheduled for another late, 9:30 p.m. tipoff.
At Monday's weekly press conference, Izzo admitted that Kalin Lucas has not yet practiced since voluntarily sitting out the second half of Saturday's game against Bowling Green. Also hurting is Korie Lucious, who did practice yesterday but is fighting through the pain of bruised ribs. Izzo expects both guards to play Tuesday night against the Orange - the third Top 10 opponent for the Spartans this season.
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"I know (Lucious) will be okay to play tomorrow," Izzo said. "Probably of all the kids on the team, he's probably the toughest kid I've got that gets injured and plays.
"He did it in Maui with the ankle and nobody thought he was going to play, so that's a big plus for him.
Tomorrow evening will be the Spartans' third appearance in the Jimmy V Classic. MSU defeated No. 8 Seton Hall in 2000 and Boston College in 2005 at the event.
Michigan State lost to Syracuse in their last meeting, 96-83 on Jan. 3, 2004 at Syracuse. Their last win over the Orange was during the 2000 NCAA Tournament, when the Spartans won 75-58 in the Sweet 16 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
To watch video from Tom Izzo's weekly press conference and see what coach had to say about matching up against Syracuse's zone defense, and Michigan State football's Capital One Bowl game vs. Alabama, click on the link below or view the video in the above player.