A big concern for the Hoosiers this week, and the rest of the season, is the condition of sophomore guard Robert Johnson’s ankle.
Johnson was carried off the court near the end of IU’s win against Purdue on Saturday night and did not return.
During his radio show Monday night, IU Coach Tom Crean offered some clarity for IU fans, though not much.
“It’s a definite ankle sprain,” Crean said. “We’re just going to have to continue to monitor it. It’s not like we’re going to be able to update it constantly. It’s going to be evaluated over time. There’s no way to predict injuries, let alone an ankle sprain.”
Crean never gave a definite timetable for Johnson’s return, or status for Thursday’s game at Illinois. He simply said Johnson is receiving 24/7 treatment.
This reporter saw him walking around Kirkwood Avenue and in Chipotle on Sunday afternoon.
He was wearing a walking boot on his left leg and was using one crutch to get around. He was able to refill his water cup at Chipotle without the assistance of his crutch, however.
In addition to updating Johnson’s condition, Crean also said sophomore guard James Blackmon Jr. has not resumed basketball activities after injuring his knee in December.
“He’s not in practice or anything like that,” Crean said. “Really just able to use the one leg right now.”
The Hoosiers have also been aided by the return of a player not eligible to play this year.
Josh Newkirk is sitting this season out because of NCAA transfer rules, but also came to Bloomington as he was recovering from knee surgery.
Now, he’s starting to get healthy.
This means he’s able to participate in practices and play for the scout team, and has been providing IU a boost in how it prepares for games since January.
“We knew we would get a lot better when January hit for a couple different reasons, but especially because he’d be able to go in practice,” Crean said.
Troy Williams responds
After what might have been his worst game Feb. 14 at Michigan State, junior forward Troy Williams responded with what might have been his best, Crean said.
“Obviously he didn’t play very well this past Sunday,” Crean said. “He knew it, we knew it and he did something about it.”
It wasn’t just the 18.5 points he averaged in the two wins against Nebraska and Purdue, it was the hustle.
He dove on the floor after three separate ball losses in the win against Purdue Saturday and recorded four steals.
Crean also said he registered double-digit deflections.
“Troy was playing so hard that we needed to get him extra rest in the second half,” Crean said about his effort in the Purdue game.
Crean praises freshmen
There was only one lead change in IU’s win against Purdue. After the Boilermakers led for the opening portion of the first half, the Hoosiers took the lead and never looked back.
How the Hoosiers took the lead was a little surprising. It came off a 3-pointer from freshman forward Juwan Morgan.
“He thought he was in high school again,” Crean said. “Actually his high school coach probably wouldn’t have even wanted him shooting that.”
Crean followed by not only praising Morgan, but by praising the efforts of all four of his freshmen.
So much so, he can’t really call them freshmen anymore.
“They are taking more responsibility,” Crean said. “It may be practicing longer, playing through fatigue.”
