Indiana will remain short-handed when it travels to Michigan for Sunday’s game at Crisler Center.
Archie Miller isn’t counting on having freshman point guard Rob Phinisee available for the No. 21 Hoosiers’ showdown with the No. 2 Wolverines. Phinisee hasn’t played since suffering a concussion in IU’s Dec. 19 win over Central Arkansas and is not likely to return in Ann Arbor.
“I doubt he plays at Michigan,” Miller said. “I would take that off the table.”
Phinisee, who has missed each of IU’s previous two games, was feeling well enough to sit with teammates on the Indiana bench during Thursday’s 73-65 win over Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Miller said that Thursday was the first day since Phinisee suffered his concussion that the Lafayette native began to resemble his usual self.
“(It) was the first day that Rob smiled in a long time, so I know he’s feeling better,” Miller said. “He’s been doing cardio work. He’s been doing some shooting. That’s about it. And as he doesn’t have any be problems or setbacks, they keep letting him do more. … I think that’s probably the first step in understanding he’s feeling better.”
Junior Devonte Green has started at point guard in Phinisee’s absence.
Phinisee, who started each of IU’s first 12 games, is the top freshman 3-point shooter in the Big Ten, making 44.8 percent of his attempts. He’s averaging 7.2 points per game with 42 assists against 20 turnovers on the season.
Maybe, Green can play silly enough and Durham can play over his head to even fool Michigan.
Scenario 1: Michigan builds a 15 to 20 point lead in first half and wins by 12.
Scenario 2: close game throughout. IU loses by 5. (Hard to see IU having much of a chance without RP.
Scenario 3: testing AM coaching ability upset alert.
Heart said #3,,,,,Brain said #1….
Sadly I agree with Ron but hope for 3
Georgia 50
Tennessee 96
The thing is…we will soon have him as a commentator on every game that Dakich isn’t covering.
I’m truly thinking of cutting the cable anyway….I can’t listen to Dakich anymore.
Maybe I’ll just go back to listening to all games on the radio. It’s usually far more informative…and far more entertaining.