Michigan State's Matt Costello expected to miss at least two weeks, Gary Harris' ankle 'not right'

Michigan State's Matt Costello blocks the shot of North Carolina's James Michael McAdoo at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. The game is part of the ACC Big Ten Challenge. North Carolina won the game, 79-65.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State big man Matt Costello is expected to miss "two to three weeks minimum," coach Tom Izzo said Monday.

The 6-foot-9 sophomore did not start against North Carolina due to flu-like symptoms, coming off the bench to contribute. Izzo indicated Friday in an interview on WJR that Costello had mononucleosis, but he has not confirmed that diagnosis.

"He was playing sick for two weeks, and nobody knew exactly what it was," Izzo said.

Izzo said leading scorer Gary Harris (ankle) and Adreian Payne (foot) were not expected to practice later today. Harris tweaked his previously sprained right ankle in the first half against North Carolina and could miss time as the sophomore was wearing a walking boot during a trip to watch the football team play in Indianapolis.

"It's not anything that's career, that's long-term," Izzo said. "It isn't healed. It's not right."

Payne has been battling plantar fasciitis, and Izzo speculated that the senior being held out of some practices could have contributed to the cramps he suffered against North Carolina.

Point guard Keith Appling is expected to return to practice after suffering a hard fall on his hip against North Carolina, according to Izzo, who said the senior was playing at 50 to 60 percent in the second half.

The Spartans play their next game on Saturday at The Palace against Oakland.

"Who plays Saturday, your guess is as good as mine right now," Izzo said.

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