Izzo: '99 percent' likely Schilling gone for season

East Lansing — Michigan State has certainly lost one big man for the entire season and the idea of missing a second seems likely at this point.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo reiterated on Tuesday what he said last week saying 6-foot-9 graduate transfer Ben Carter won’t return from a knee injury suffered just weeks before the season began. Izzo also said it appears more likely that of 6-9 senior Gavin Schilling will be in the same boat.

“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.”

MSU's Bridges earns third Big Ten weekly award

Schilling injured his knee just before the beginning of the season and had surgery soon after, something that has kept him on the bench. Izzo said there haven’t been any discussions with Schilling or his family at this point but that a decision could be coming soon.

Schilling could work to get back for the final part of the season but would lose nearly a full season of eligibility. The other option is shutting it down and taking a redshirt season with the plan to return next season.

That’s something Izzo would welcome and would be rather straightforward considering Schilling played as a true freshman and would not need to rely on a medical exemption to play another season.

mcharboneau@detroitnews.com

twitter.com/mattcharboneau