Sprained ankle benches Spartans' Lucas

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Michigan State guard Kalin Lucas will not play against Illinois.

Michigan State sports information director Matt Larson said about an hour before the 9 p.m. tip-off on Saturday that Lucas' ankle injury will keep him on the bench.

Lucas sprained his right ankle Tuesday in the fifth-ranked Spartans' loss at Wisconsin.

Lucas, last season's Big Ten Player of the Year, leads Michigan State in scoring at 15.6 points a game.

Lucas, dressed in sweats, limped slightly as he helped teammates through pregame warmups. Larson said he was able to participate in some of the afternoon shootaround but wouldn't speculate on when he will practice or play again.

Just before tipoff, he said: "My ankle feels much better. You know, right now I'm getting a lot of treatments and stuff like that."

Larson said the Spartans don't know when Lucas will start practicing again, or if he'll be ready Tuesday.

"It's too early to tell," Larson said. "Every day he gets better and better."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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