Michigan State’s Divine Ugochukwu Exits Game with Foot Injury - Backcourt Depth Takes a Hit
Divine Ugochukwu’s first season in East Lansing has had its share of ups and downs, and unfortunately, it looks like another downturn may be on the horizon. The Michigan State guard left Wednesday night’s game in Minneapolis with an apparent foot injury, casting a shadow over an already tough night for the Spartans.
Ugochukwu didn’t start the game, as Jordan Scott took his place in the lineup, but he came off the bench to relieve Jeremy Fears at the point. Late in the first half, though, Ugochukwu exited the game after appearing to tweak something in his foot.
He was seen limping slightly and favoring one side as he made his way to the bench. Trainers checked him out, and he removed one of his shoes - but he never returned to the floor.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. Michigan State was already struggling to keep pace at The Barn, falling behind by as many as 16 points before mounting a furious rally in the final minutes. The comeback bid fell just short, but Ugochukwu’s absence loomed large - especially given the uncertainty surrounding his health.
After the game, head coach Tom Izzo was asked about Ugochukwu’s status, and his response didn’t inspire much optimism.
“It doesn’t look good,” Izzo said of the injury. While he didn’t have a definitive diagnosis yet, the tone suggested concern. Given that the team had returned to the locker room after Ugochukwu’s exit and had time to evaluate the injury further, Izzo’s comment likely wasn’t made lightly.
That’s a tough blow for a Michigan State team that’s already thin in the backcourt. Ugochukwu, a transfer from Miami, has been a key rotational piece this season. He may not have arrived with the fanfare of a high-profile scorer, but he brought starting experience and a willingness to play within the system - something Izzo clearly valued.
His season has been a bit of a roller coaster. After a slow start, Ugochukwu made waves with a standout performance against Penn State, earning a spot in the starting lineup. He hit a rough patch after that, but then came up big again with a clutch, game-tying three against Rutgers to force overtime - a moment that felt like a turning point.
Now, just as he seemed to be finding his rhythm again, this injury threatens to derail his progress. It’s unclear how long he might be out - or whether he’ll miss any time at all - but the early signs aren’t promising.
If Ugochukwu is sidelined, it opens the door for more minutes from Trey Fort and potentially reshuffles the guard rotation entirely. That’s not ideal for a team still trying to find consistency as it pushes into the heart of Big Ten play.
For Ugochukwu, it’s another frustrating setback in a season that’s already tested his resilience. For the Spartans, it’s a reminder of how quickly depth can become a concern in the grind of conference basketball.