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Michigan State Big Man Sidelined After Foot Surgery

The Spartans will be without one of their young centers at the start of the season...

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Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State men's basketball, the No. 4 team in The Associated Press' preseason Top 25 poll, will begin the 2023-24 season at less than full strength.

Sophomore center Jaxon Kohler will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his left foot on Tuesday in Charlotte, according to a tweet by the Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari. A MSU spokesperson confirmed the injury to Kohler's foot is not season-ending, and the Spartans expect Kohler to return before Christmas.

In 31 games played during his freshman season, Kohler averaged 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks while in 10.6 minutes per game in 2022-23. He shot 51.1% from the field, went 0-for-2 on three-point attempts and 2-or-6 from the foul line. This offseason, Kohler has placed an emphasis on slimming down and becoming a better defender.

Spartan fans will have to wait a little longer to see the dividends of Kohler's offseason efforts. Fortunately, Michigan State has the depth to soften the blow of Kohler's absence. Senior Mady Sissoko and sophomore Carson Cooper will rotate at the center spot, with senior Malik Hall and freshmen Xavier Booker, Coen Carr and Gehrig Normand battling for minutes at forward.

Foot injuries have plagued Michigan State's men's basketball program for several years running. Last season, both junior guard Jaden Akins and Hall missed time due to foot/ankle injuries. Head coach Tom Izzo said earlier this month that Hall is completely healthy, maybe for the first time in his career. Also earlier this month, Izzo said Akins was working through some minor ailments, but the junior is not expected to miss any time as of now.

Michigan State will open its season with a pair of scrimmages in East Lansing at the end of the month, starting with Hillsdale College on Oct. 25. The Spartans will then welcome No. 9 Tennessee on Oct. 29 for their second scrimmage. MSU's opens the regular season by hosting James Madison (Nov. 6) and Southern Indiana (Nov. 9) before heading to Chicago for a Top 5 showdown with No. 2 Duke (Nov. 14) in the annual Champions Classic.

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