The rumors that were circulating regarding the severity of Divine Ugochukwu’s foot injury have unfortunately come to fruition.
The backup Michigan State guard left Wednesday’s game at Minnesota with an apparent foot injury, and he never returned. The early thought was that it might be something that keeps him out a few games, but rumors were spreading the day after the game that he’d be out for the season.
Unfortunately, those rumors have turned out to be true.
On Friday, Tom Izzo revealed that Ugochukwu would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery next week to repair what sounds like some sort of lower leg/foot injury.
This news couldn’t come at a worse time considering the Spartans just lost back-to-back games for the first time this season and they’re searching for answers after a disappointing loss against a 10-12 Minnesota team. They also get a top-10 Illinois team on Saturday, so that should be interesting.
After the news broke, Ugochukwu had a message/promise for Spartan fans:
BREAKING🚨 Michigan State’s Divine Ugochukwu is out for the season.
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) February 6, 2026
The sophomore guard started 12 games this season.
Divine’s message to fans: “Spartan Nation, I’ll be back.” pic.twitter.com/cCgQzzGvI8
”I’ll be back.”
That sounds like a declaration of a return which is never a given during the transfer portal era. He could see that Jasiah Jervis and Carlos Medlock are coming in and Kur Teng, Jeremy Fears, and Jordan Scott are returning and realize that the backcourt is crowded, but he’ll have a role.
Ugochukwu was a starter for a couple of months this season.
It’s time for more Trey Fort, Kur Teng, and Jordan Scott
Trey Fort is likely going to be the biggest beneficiary to this injury news. He’s averaging just 10.1 minutes, but he’s putting up 4.3 points per game. If he sees his time double, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him averaging somewhere around 10 points per game for the rest of the season.
All Fort needs to do is improve that defense, and find his rhythm offensively. He showed that he can provide a spark, scoring 12 big points in a near-comeback effort at Minnesota.
Kur Teng, too, should see his minutes increase as the backup two-guard, and he’ll be fighting for extra time with Fort behind new starter Jordan Scott.
I expect Scott to play 20-plus minutes per game, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Izzo go with Fort over Denham Wojcik to spell Fears for a couple of minutes each half at the point — at least that’s what he probably should do.
Rise up, Fort believers.