Michigan State basketball avoids disaster with positive Jase Richardson injury news

Tom Izzo shared some positive news on Thursday night regarding one of the best role players that Michigan State basketball has to offer.

The Hall of Fame head coach spoke to the media regarding Jase Richardson's ankle injury that he suffered in the Samford win that had some worried that he'd miss extended time, and he talked fans off the ledge. They were worried that Richardson may have had a severe ankle sprain -- or potentially worse -- and Izzo stated on Thursday that he is going to be fine for Maui.

Izzo reportedly held Richardson out of Thursday's practice as a precaution but "he should be good to go" once they arrive in Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.

For a team that's still searching for its identity and one that has shown flashes of being really good but just hasn't put it all together yet, losing Richardson would be a killer.

The freshman phenom, and son of MSU legend Jason Richardson, has been one of the most consistent players on the roster this season and he's been a spark off the bench. Through his first five games at the collegiate level, he's scored at least eight points in four of them and he's averaging 8.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 63 percent from the floor and 50 percent from deep. He also only has one turnover in 104 minutes this year.

Fortunately, it looks like Michigan State will get him back for Maui and the Spartans will need him with teams like North Carolina, Iowa State, UConn, and Auburn in the field.

Hopefully this minor injury didn't mess with his confidence because he's been oozing that so far.