Michigan State players won’t start after getting into fight at team hotel

Michigan State forwards Branden Dawson and Adreian Payne will not start in tonight’s game against Penn State after getting into a fight with each other Wednesday morning at the team’s hotel.

Penn State University police went to the Nittany Lion Inn shortly after 11 a.m. to speak with the two players, who had suffered minor cuts and caused damage to a wall on the second floor of the hotel lobby. The altercation is still being investigated by police, but no charges have not been filed against either player.

“A scuffle that began as two players needling each other resulted in a dented wall,” Spartan head coach Tom Izzo said in a statement. “We’ll deal with this appropriately, and the players will willingly accept responsibility for paying for any property damage. I’ve spent my entire afternoon meeting with the players involved and they are both sincerely remorseful. What makes matters even more confusing is that they are off-campus roommates. As a result of their actions neither one will start tonight’s game.”

Dawson, a sophomore, is the team’s second leading scorer (10.5 ppg) and rebounder (6.1 rpg). He has started all 17 of Michigan State’s games so far this season. Payne, a junior, who was expected to return to the starting lineup against Penn State, averages 8.5 ppg and is tied for the team lead in rebounding at 7.2 rpg.

Though neither player will start Wednesday night, Izzo says that both will play.