UPDATE: On his pregame radio appearance, IU coach Mike Woodson said Xavier Johnson will play vs. UConn.
The original story follows.
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Indiana fans held their breath as starting sixth-year point guard Xavier Johnson clutched his leg a few days ago. It was a familiar scene after Johnson’s 2022-23 season ended abruptly 11 months earlier at Kansas.
Johnson suffered a lower left leg injury in the final minutes of Indiana’s 89-80 win over Wright State on Thursday, and limped off the court.
But it looks like Johnson has a good chance to play today. He is in uniform for pregame warmups.
Video evidence of Xavier Johnson warming up at Madison Square Garden. He was listed as questionable on the availability report after going down at the end of the Wright State game Thursday. #iubb pic.twitter.com/uuX93tEMxm
— Seth Tow (@SethTow) November 19, 2023
In its pregame injury report, Indiana listed Johnson as questionable for the Hoosiers’ Sunday matchup (1 p.m. ET, ESPN) vs. UConn at Madison Square Garden in New York.
In a video released by the IU basketball program Saturday, Johnson could be seen at practice in a red starters jersey and no brace or boot on his left leg. So it won’t come as a surprise if he at least tries to play against the No. 5 Huskies.
Indiana’s third-leading scorer, the 6-foot-3 Johnson is averaging 14.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists through three games.
Johnson missed 24 games last season after suffering a broken foot. He received a medical hardship waiver, allowing him to play a sixth season of college basketball.
Freshman guard Jakai Newton continues to be listed by Indiana as out, and he’s not expected to return anytime soon.
UConn coach Dan Hurley announced earlier this week starting guard Stephon Castle will not play against the Hoosiers. He was averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in his first two games of college basketball prior to the injury.
Newton and Castle are neighbors and best friends. They were teammates at Newton H.S. in Covington, Ga.
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