NCAA Basketball: Injury Report (OG Anunoby out for remainder of season)
4. Gavin Schilling ’99 percent’ done for season
Finally, we have an update on Michigan State big man Gavin Schilling.
Even though it is not much of a surprise, the forward is not expected to return this season, according to head coach Tom Izzo.
"Spartans coach Tom Izzo said on Tuesday that he thinks it’s “99 percent definitive” that Schilling will miss the entire 2016-17 season with a right knee injury suffered in the preseason. “In my mind, it’s 99 percent definitive,” Izzo said. “I think in his mind it is, too. So I guess we could almost say that his chances of coming back are slim this year.”"
Schilling, like his partner Ben Carter, hasn’t played in a single game this season for the Spartans. The big man was expected to be one of Michigan State’s starting veteran bigs, but as mentioned in the Michigan Live article, he suffered a serious knee injury during the preseason and had to undergo knee surgery.
Carter has already been ruled out for the season, so it looks like the Spartans will have to continue to play without their two best bigs.
The good news: Nick Ward has become a force in the paint and Schilling could receive a redshirt year.
Ward is averaging 13.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game for a team that is starting to hit their stride. He has gained more confidence as the season has gone on and his physical presence has been a very valuable asset for Tom Izzo and company.
Meanwhile, if Schilling can be granted a redshirt year, that would be a huge coup for the Spartans. With Ward and Schilling back and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman joining the roster as freshmen, the Spartans could have a sneaky good front court in 2017-18.