Michigan State forward goes down with injury in second half versus Duke

Midway through the second half of Michigan State‘s matchup with Duke, a key player went down with an apparent ankle injury while defending a layup. Julius Marble II was battling for a rebound on a Duke possession, when a tipped ball went into the hands of Wendell Moore Jr. who attempted a layup. Marble contested the shot, and landed awkwardly on his right ankle. Marble was able to stand up in visible pain and walk off the court after being substituted for.

Michigan State loses forward to injury against Duke

Marble struggled from the field for most of the game — with four points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field at the time of his injury — but his impact as a defender in the post was a key part of Michigan State’s ability to hang with the Blue Devils. After coming out of the game, Marble was attended to by the training staff as they taped up his ankle and prepared him for a possible return to the game.

Ultimately Marble’s injury may not have been the deciding factor in Duke’s 85-76 win over the Spartans, but his presence was missed. Michigan State took a five-point lead with five minutes to go in the game, seemingly poised to upset the favored two-seed Duke.

The Blue Devils responded with force however, not ready to call it quits on their legendary coach’s career. Duke made their final five shots of the game, and made 8-of-10 free throws while closing the game on a 13-2 run for the win.

Izzo on coaching against Mike Krzyzewski

There’s no question that Izzo was prepared for their second-round matchup with Duke, stating last Wednesday that “It would be an honor,” for Michigan State to play against Krzyzewski. The future hall of fame headman is 3–12 all-time against Krzyzewski. The last time Krzyzewski played Izzo and the Spartans in the NCAA tournament in 2019, it was Michigan State who sent Duke packing in the Elite 8.

“I like the game, I just don’t like the record in that matchup over the years,” Izzo said about matching up with Duke. “I’ve gotta be his favorite coach because he’s beaten us like a drum. One more time to play against maybe the all-time great.”

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this article.