Injury Report: Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Johnson among sidelined stars
Reggie Johnson, Miami: Johnson, who averages a double-double as Miami's starting center, broke his left thumb in practice before the Diamond Head Classic. Last week, Miami put out a release stating that Johnson will be out six to eight weeks, meaning that he likely won't be back in the lineup until mid-February. The bad news for the Hurricanes is that their ACC schedule is front-loaded; they play four of their five games against the three teams from The Triangle -- Duke, UNC and NC State -- by Feb. 9.
Josh Jones, Creighton: Jones' career is over. The senior guard and Omaha, Neb., native had been averaging 5.0 points coming off the bench this year, but about 30 minutes prior to a game against Nebraska, Jones passed out on the court. About two weeks later, he had surgery to repair an atrial flutter and will need more procedures done in the future. It's the second time that Jones has had heart problems; in high school in 2007, he had open heart surgery due to an infection in a heart valve.
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan: Hardaway sat out Michigan's last nonconference game on Saturday, a win over Central Michigan, with an injury to his right ankle. And while the injury does not appear to be all that serious, Michigan has been mum on Hardaway's status. Based on Beilein's postgame comments, it seems reasonable to think that Hardaway is questionable for Michigan's Big Ten opener on Thursday at Northwestern. Backup center Jon Horford is also battling an injury, and while the team expects him back this season from a dislocated knee-cap he suffered in early December, it's unclear when, exactly, he will be healthy enough to return.
Luke Martinez, Wyoming: Martinez, a a 6-foot-4 senior guard who averages 14.5 points for one of the nation's four remaining undefeated teams, broke the ring finger on his right hand in what the school termed an off-campus incident in a release. Head coach Larry Shyatt wouldn't reveal any other details about how the injury was suffered, but the finger is not expected to require surgery which means that it is unclear just how long Martinez will be out.
Deandre Kane, Marshall: Kane, who is Marshall's leading scorer and third in the nation in assists-per-game, broke his right hand last month in practice, but the good news is that the 6-6 point guard could end up being back in the lineup for the start of Conference USA play. The Thundering Herd kick things off next Wednesday against Tulsa.
Tarik Black, Memphis: Black has sat out the Tigers' last two games with a groin injury he suffered last week in practice and it appears that he may end up missing Friday's date with in-state rival Tennessee as well. "I would say right now it's doubtful that he plays Friday. I think it's a game-time decision," Pastner told the Commercial-Appeal. On Wednesday, team doctors will reevaluate Black's injury to confirm that Black's groin is only strained and not pulled. He is expected back next Wednesday against East Carolina.
Martavious Irving and Angel Rodriguez, Kansas State: The Wildcats have played the last two games -- wins over UMKC and South Dakota -- without the two best point guards on their roster. Irving is dealing with a knee injury he suffered in practice while Rodriguez is battling tendonitis.
Jeronne Maymon, Tennessee: Maymon's knees still aren't getting better. He underwent a couple of offseason surgical procedures to try and help, but it didn't take. Things are so bad right now that Cuonzo Martin has been talking about redshirting Maymon this season.
Tony Criswell, Missouri: Criswell, Missouri's back-up center, fractured the middle finger on his left-hand in the Tigers' win over Illinois two weeks ago. He sat out Missouri's loss at UCLA last Friday, but he isn't expected to miss much more time. Criswell is averaging 6.0 points and 5.0 boards in 18 minutes this season.
Johnny O'Bryant, LSU: O'Bryant aggravated an injury in a pre-Christmas game against Marquette which forced him to sit out last Friday's win over Houston Baptist. Head coach Johnny Jones won't disclose the nature of the injury, but he does expect O'Bryant to be back on Saturday when the Tigers take on Bethune-Cookman.
Wichita State: The Shockers are dealing with all kinds of injuries right now. Carl Hall, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, will be out about another two weeks after injuring his thumb in practice in December. Ron Baker, a starting guard and the best shooter on the roster, will miss another month with a stress fracture in his foot. Evan Wessel injured his hand in early December as well and has yet to return to the lineup. Things appear fine despite losing three starters, however; the Shockers blew out Northern Iowa in their MVC opener.
South Florida: Point guard Anthony Collins had a scary moment on Saturday, when he was taken off the court on a stretcher after having neck pain caused by a knee he took to the head. The good news is that the injury is just a sprain and he could end up playing on Wednesday against Central Florida. Victor Rudd also was injured during the game against George Mason, suffering a concussion. He, too, could be back on Wednesday.
Chane Behanan, Louisville: Rick Pitino announced Tuesday that Behanan was doubtful for Wednesday's Big East opener against Providence because the sophomore forward is battling the flu.
Reggie Bullock, North Carolina: Bullock sat out UNC's win over UNLV on Saturday with a concussion that he suffered in practice. His status for UNC's ACC opener on Sunday against Virginia is unknown.
Ian Miller, Florida State: Miller has been battling a bone bruise in his foot, an injury he suffered back in November. He missed five games already this season -- including the last four -- and the status of his return is unclear.
Bryce Cotton, Providence: Cotton has been battling knee issues this season. He missed a game against Penn State back in November, he missed half of a game against Mississippi State in early December, and on Friday, he sat out the Friar's loss to Brown. Injuries issues have to be frustrating for Providence coach Ed Cooley, who had just gotten both Vincent Council and Kris Dunn healthy again.
Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Hofstra: Coombs-McDaniel will not play this season due to lingering knee issues from a pair of surgeries he's had since he transferred to Hofstra from UConn.
Robert Covington, Tennessee State: Covington, an NBA prospect playing for a struggling Tennessee State squad, underwent surgery on Friday to repair a torn meniscus he suffered about two weeks ago. He's expected to miss the next four to six weeks.