Michigan State Guard Denzel Valentine To Miss 2-3 Weeks
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Denzel Valentine will miss the next couple of weeks after a minor knee surgery on Monday, according to Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo.
The 12-0 Spartans are No. 1 in the country, and will play Oakland Tuesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
They kick off the Big Ten portion of their schedule on Dec. 29 at Iowa.
If Valentine's return remains on the best-case scenario timeline, he would return in time for the Jan. 7 game against Illinois. Other possible return dates could include Jan. 10 at Penn State or Jan. 14 against Iowa.
Valentine is MSU's leading scorer with 18.5 points a game, is its leading rebounder (8.3 per game), has the most assists per game (7.1) and plays the most minutes per game (30.6). He's also shooting 45.6 percent this season, including 40 percent of his three-pointers.
Izzo told reporters Monday that Eron Harris will take Valentine's minutes in his absence.
Harris, the junior guard, is averaging 16.3 minutes, seven points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season.
