The Indiana Hoosiers are on a roll. They’re ranked 17th and one of just six undefeated teams in the country. Thursday, the Hoosiers host UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County) to Assembly Hall for their final tuneup before Big Ten play.
IU will have to do without the services of Derek Elston and Will Sheehey against UMBC, both out with injuries.
Elston was hit with an elbow by Victor Oladipo in practice and had surgery to repair the fracture.
“Derek Elston’s gonna miss tomorrow, because he had surgery on a fracture in his nose yesterday,” Crean told reporters Wednesday. “He sustained it last week and was able to play on it. We decided to get it done yesterday, so he’ll miss tomorrow night, which will give us enough time to get better (before Michigan State)…We certainly don’t anticipate anything more than just a couple of games with him.”
Meantime, Sheehey was a late-developing story Wednesday night. According to multiple reports, Sheehey is on crutches and possibly rolled an ankle in practice on Wednesday. IU athletics released the following statement:
“Will Sheehey has a left lower leg injury that he sustained in practice Wednesday and his status will be evaluated each day.”
Due to both circumstances, Indiana’s bench will be tested. As ChronicHoosier wisely pointed out, Indiana “has learned to play on the road, from behind, and in foul trouble this season. Injury is the next adversity for it to conquer.”
There is still a lot we don’t know about this team. You never wish injuries upon anyone but maybe, just maybe, this could help IU in the long run.
This void will mean more time for freshman Remy Abell and Austin Etherington. The extent of Sheehey’s injury is unknown at this point. Through 11 games, he is averaging 10.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Indiana should easily handle UMBC Thursday, who come to Bloomington with only one win (1-9) on the year. The Hoosiers open the Big Ten season next week, at Michigan State on Dec. 28th, and they host Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.