Indiana University men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson has announced via release that the five players disciplined on Tuesday against Northwestern will be available to play on Saturday at Michigan State.
Tamar Bates, Michael Durr, Xavier Johnson, Khristian Lander and Parker Stewart did not play against the Wildcats in Evanston, a game the Hoosiers lost 59-51.
In the release, Woodson hinted that missed curfews were to blame, or at least played a role, in the one-game suspensions.
“It’s important that all team rules are followed and a curfew applies to everyone in our program for a reason,” said Woodson.
Woodson didn’t promise the five players will actually see the court on Saturday at the Breslin Center.
“It will be my decision to determine what role each one will have moving forward,” he said.
With a modified rotation of just seven available scholarship players, Woodson started Trey Galloway and Anthony Leal in the backcourt against Northwestern. They were the only two scholarship guards available for the Hoosiers, who seemed to fatigue in the second half against the Wildcats.
“They fought and played their butts off. We didn’t have enough coming down the stretch,” Woodson said on Tuesday night.
Although Woodson didn’t specifically address it in the release, point guard Rob Phinisee is expected to continue to be unavailable Saturday due to a plantar fascia injury. On Tuesday at Northwestern he no longer required the assistance of a scooter as part of his rehabilitation process but could still be seen wearing a walking boot.
Indiana faces Michigan State in East Lansing on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
See also: Mike Woodson was suspended by Bob Knight in 1978
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