3 more Spartans test positive for COVID-19

By Larry Smith/IlliniGuys.com

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo announced today that the Spartans will have to postpone this Saturday's date vs. #22 Illinois due to COVID-19.

Izzo said three more Spartans tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, including freshman walk-on Davis Smith, son of Michigan State legend Steve Smith. Izzo himself tested positive back in early November.

The Spartans haven’t played since a 55-54 loss to Purdue on January 8^th.  They had already postponed games at Iowa and against Indiana last week due to three other players testing positive, including his son Steven

For the Illini, it’s the third game this season they’ve had affected by the coronavirus. They were forced to make a last-minute cancellation of their home date vs. Tennessee-Martin back on December 5^th due to issues with the visiting team. Their game scheduled for last Wednesday night at Nebraska was put on hold after a COVID incident within the Cornhuskers program.

The announcement leaves Illinois with another lull in their schedule. After five days off between the Maryland and Ohio State dates last week, the Big Ten contender will now have nine days off between tomorrow night’s home game vs. Penn State and the January 29^th showdown vs. #4 Iowa.

There is a slim chance of making up the Nebraska game during that time.  The Cornhuskers remain quarantined – they’ve already called off next Sunday’s game at Iowa, the 4^th contest in a row that they’ve postponed.  However, IlliniGuys.com Insider Brad Sturdy says look for the Illini to try to add a game early next week.