Phinisee unlikely to play at Michigan

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.