Positive coronavirus tests force postponement of Illinois-Michigan State game

Michigan State is postponing its game this weekend against No. 22 Illinois, moving a third straight basketball game due to a COVID-19 outbreak within coach Tom Izzo’s men’s basketball program.

Izzo made the announcement on Monday, a day after one additional player and two non-coaching staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. In a statement posted on its website, MSU said freshman guard Davis Smith, strength and conditioning coach Marshall Repp and graduate manager Lourawls “TumTum” Nairn Jr. tested positive.

Last week, three players tested positive and that led to the Spartans postponing games at No. 4 Iowa and against Indiana.

Michigan State was scheduled to host the Fighting Illini on Saturday. No decision has been made on rescheduling the game.

Izzo, who tested positive for the coronavirus two months ago, says he is doing individual workouts with eight to 10 players on the team who are not in isolation.