David Thomas didn't score in eight minutes. Mike Chappell, who has a reputation as a great perimeter shooter, didn't attempt a shot in 14 minutes. The three players who are Michigan State's top reserves are struggling, and as a result, so did the Spartans on Thursday night in a 78-67 loss at Ohio State. Richardson, a freshman who has a knack for making spectacular plays but hasn't produced on a consistent basis, played one minute. He was injured earlier in the week, and the diagnosis is a strained chest muscle and back spasms.
Nobody has any explanation for it.
Richardson is questionable for Saturday's game against Northwestern. Thomas returned to the role, at least temporarily, of backup point guard because Izzo wants to keep Charlie Bell at shooting guard. Thomas again looked out of place at the point when he was used there early in the game. Then there's Chappell, a transfer from Duke. Center Adam Ballinger, another of MSU's top reserves, played just two minutes because of a knee injury.