For the past month, Michigan State has been missing a key member of the backcourt. Divine Ugochukwu went down with a foot injury against Minnesota back in February and was ruled out for the remainder of the season shortly afterward.
While he was initially ruled out for the year, he was seen warming up with the team last week during NCAA Tournament practices and he even hinted that he’s trying to return.
Ugochukwu wanting to return and Tom Izzo bringing him back from injury are two different things. While Ugochukwu wanted to come back if Michigan State had made the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight, Izzo said that it’s just not happening.
Izzo shot down any idea of Ugochukwu returning for the Sweet 16 on Monday.
Izzo says backup PG Denham Wojcik has a torn labrum in his shoulder that'll require surgery after season but he is able to play through it. On Divine Ugochukwu (foot): "His chances of playing are none and less." Won't play this weekend, possibly if MSU gets beyond this weekend.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 23, 2026
The chances of seeing Ugochukwu suit up this weekend are apparently “none and less” according to Izzo. That is a pretty definitive answer after Ugochukwu was hopeful to return at some point, but apparently Izzo isn’t ruling out a return for the Final Four and national title game if Michigan State can make it that far.
With Denham Wojcik hampered by a torn labrum in his shoulder, getting Ugochukwu back for the final two games if the Spartans can get there would be massive.
Michigan State might just need Divine Ugochukwu
Now that we know about Wojcik’s injury, Izzo knows that having Ugochukwu back to help out would be massive, but he’s not willing to risk his healthy by rushing him back.
However, if the Spartans beat UConn and then either Duke or St. John’s, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Miami transfer return to potentially take some pressure off an injured Wojcik and give Jeremy Fears Jr. a little more rest. He could be the difference between a Final Four exit and Izzo’s second national title.
Ugochukwu is hopeful that he returns at some point, but Izzo isn’t as optimistic.
We’re going to see the backup guard lobby for a return if Michigan State wins its next two games, and Izzo is going to have a really tough time telling him “no”.