With the first practices underway, IU is already dealing a slate of injuries.
Senior Collin Hartman had knee surgery this week after injuring his knee in practice, there is no timetable for his return. A redshirt season remains a possibility, but IU Coach Tom Crean said it’s way too early to make that decision and wants to see how Hartman responds to the rehabilitation.
“I don’t have a timeline,” Crean said. “I’m most concerned right now with his mindset. He just got back here. That young guy was putting so much into being our senior leader.”
After having offseason shoulder surgery, sophomore Juwan Morgan has not been cleared for practice yet.
Junior college transfer Freddie McSwain also has not been cleared for practice. He had issues with his knee previously and it flared up when he got to IU and needed knee surgery.
Crean said McSwain is a couple of weeks away from returning.
Sophomore O.G. Anunoby had a groin injury over the offseason, but he is fully recovered. Freshman De’ron Davis has also dealt with a couple of injury situations that have shut him down from time-to-time, but he is fully cleared to practice.
Junior Robert Johnson was cleared for practice this week after having offseason ankle surgery. Junior James Blackmon Jr. has also been cleared for practice after his knee surgery last season.
But, with so many players coming back from surgery, Crean said they will take things slow.
“We would have already practiced this morning and they would be ready to go tonight, if this were a year ago,” Crean said. “We have to tailor make this thing. We can’t be in too much of a rush with these guys.”
Andrew Hussey
