Michigan State's Kithier to play Kentucky with broken nose
- Oct. 31, 2019 05:00 PM EDT
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts after a play during the second half of an NCAA college exhibition basketball game against Albion, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts after a play during the second half of an NCAA college exhibition basketball game against Albion, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan State's Thomas Kithier, left, drives against Aaron Henry (11) during the NCAA college basketball team's scrimmage Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State forward Thomas Kithier has a broken nose that is not expected to keep him out of the season-opening game.

Kithier was injured by an inadvertent elbow at practice. He has been cleared to practice and play in games.

The top-ranked Spartans face No. 2 Kentucky on Tuesday in New York. Kithier is a candidate to start at forward. The 6-foot-8 sophomore averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds while he was used sparingly in 31 games last season.

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