Lucas officially out for NCAA Tournament
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Kalin Lucas ruptured his left Achilles tendon in MSU’s 85-83 second-round win over Maryland on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament, and the junior guard will miss the remainder of the NCAA Tournament, the MSU men’s basketball program announced in a statement.
“We feel terrible for Kalin, he was having a great NCAA Tournament,” head coach Tom Izzo said in the statement. “The good news is there is no doubt he will make a full and complete recovery. He’s a tough kid and he’ll do everything necessary to return to his elite level.”
Recovery time is expected to be four to six months.
Lucas left the game with 2:09 remaining in the first half of Sunday’s game and did not return.
A co-captain, Lucas leads MSU in scoring (14.8 points per game), assists (3.9 per game) and minutes played (31.1 per game).
“I appreciate all the support I’ve received from everyone, but especially my teammates,” said Lucas, who will travel with the team for its next game. “At halftime against Maryland, they told me they had my back. And I told them I had theirs.”
The No. 5-seed Spartans continue NCAA Tournament play against No. 9-seed Northern Iowa at 9:37 p.m. Friday in St. Louis.
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D
(03/22/10 8:33pm)Report
Lucas, coming from a spartan, I want to thank you for your dedication, and your amazing hard work that you have done. You bring a strong sense of connection to MSU. I feel sorry that the events ended the way they did, but you are still a leader to that team. Thank you to the rest of the team, for fighting so hard and really, giving me the best ncaa basketball game ive ever watched.
Matt Bell
(03/23/10 2:38pm)Report
Kalin – I wish it had been my achilles and not yours. We’re praying for you to make a full and speedy recovery. You’re a great athlete and a tremendous young man. You’ll go far in life, whether it’s in sports or something else.
Good luck to you guys this weekend!
jbru
(03/23/10 2:42pm)Report
Kalin, please be a leader on the bench like Mateen was. You can still play a part in this run. Let me see you shine. Ps glad that you will definitely be playing here next year.
JBRUNATION
jbru
(03/23/10 2:42pm)Report
Kalin, please be a leader on the bench like Mateen was. You can still play a part in this run. Let me see you shine. Ps glad that you will definitely be playing here next year.
JBRUNATION
Rocky Mt Spartan
(03/23/10 2:59pm)Report
A tough injury to endure at this point in the season, no doubt, but I look forward to seeing you play in your senior season.
Best wishes. You’re a credit to the program and to the university.