BREAKING UPDATE (1/11, 6:15 p.m.) — Indiana Freshman point guard Rob Phinisee has been cleared to play in tonight’s game against Maryland according to multiple reports. The original story published on Thursday continues below.
It’s the never ending story in Bloomington. While the injuries seem to keep coming, it looks like the status quo for Friday night at Maryland, with the possible exception of one player returning.
Of the 13 scholarship players plus walk-on Zach McRoberts, eight Indiana Hoosiers have missed time this year due to various injuries. Some on more than one occasion.
At present, five Hoosiers are contending with various medical concerns. IU head coach Archie Miller provided an update on the status of three of them today during his media availability to preview Friday night’s game against Maryland.
ROB PHINISEE
The Hoosier starting point guard suffered a concussion against Central Arkansas on December 19th and has not returned to action since. That game was immediately after his game winning shot at the buzzer against Butler.
Miller gave this update on Phinisee today:
As of right now, he’s not. He’s continuing to, I guess, further along some of the stuff that he’s doing on a daily basis. He hasn’t had any setbacks. I’m encouraged to watch him participate more in practice, but he has not been cleared to do anything full contact yet, and he’ll have another day today where hopefully we can get him moving in the right direction. But as of right now, there’s no indication he’ll play for us on Friday.
Phinisee started in the first 12 games of the season and is averaging 7.2 points and 3.5 assists per contest.
DE’RON DAVIS
Davis, who has been rehabbing longer term from a torn Achilles tendon, missed the Michigan game due to a sprained ankle that he appeared to suffer against Illinois.
Miller also spoke today about the junior forward:
De’Ron is still struggling a little bit with his mobility. His ankle is sore. He’s sort of in and out of practice, and some things he can do, some things he can’t do. I’m hopeful he’ll be available to play on Friday, but if he can’t, Cliff Moore has got to get in there and got, Fitzner has got to give us more right now, and we have to find ways to get those guys more involved early in the game.
Davis previously missed action earlier in the season after also straining his other Achilles tendon. He has appeared in 13 games on the season and is averaging 4.8 points in 11.2 minutes per contest.
JAKE FORRESTER
Forrester was the latest addition to the Hoosier infirmary. The freshman forward was not dressed for the Michigan game. He has yet to see meaningful minutes this year, but very well could have in light of Davis’ latest injury.
Miller said this about Forrester:
You know, hopefully Jake coming off his ankle — he still isn’t doing real well right now in terms of being out for practice. I wish he was available because we could use another body right now just in terms of the size that we’re going to be dealing with.
Forrester has appeared in six games, and is averaging 3.8 points in 4.7 minutes per contest.
NO UPDATE ON JEROME HUNTER AND RACE THOMPSON
Freshman forward Jerome Hunter and redshirt freshman Race Thompson have missed virtually the entire season with injuries. Miller did not provide any details on Thursday regarding the status of either player.
Hunter is dealing with an undisclosed issue that came about just before the start of the season. He had surgery in November and has been with the team at games and practice.
Thompson suffered a concussion in a November practice and has not cleared the concussion protocol. He appeared in one game prior to his injury.
You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
Want to receive all of our content via one e-mail in your inbox every day? It’s free. Join our daily mailing list here.
Please consider supporting The Daily Hoosier by shopping on Amazon via this link to the Amazon home page or through the ad below.
