Indiana Loses Robert Phinisee For Extended Period

The Indiana Hoosiers will be without their starting point guard, freshman Robert Phinisee, for Thursday’s game against Illinois and beyond due to a concussion.

Phinisee has been a valuable contributor for the Hoosiers this season averaging 7.2 points per game in 26 minutes of action. He’s a 44 percent three-point shooter and memorably hit the game-winner against Butler in the Crossroads Classic.

Phinisee’s injury comes at a critical early-season stretch for the Hoosiers. Take a look at their next five games: vs. Illinois, at no. 2 Michigan, at Maryland, vs. no. 24 Nebraska, and at Purdue. It is unclear right now how long Phinisee will be out, but coach Archie Miller saying “foreseeable future” is a ominous sign.

Expect to see more Devonte Green in the starting lineup as the team’s point guard. Green played 36 minutes in Phinisee’s absence on December 22nd. Look for the Hoosiers to work through Juwan Morgan and Romeo Langford on offense.

Injuries have hit Indiana hard this season. Top-50 freshman Jerome Hunter had leg surgery in mid-November and is unlikely to play this season. Redshirt freshman Race Thompson had a concussion in practice in early November and has only played four minutes this season. Senior forward Zach McRoberts has missed six games this season with a back injury. Green also missed some time with a thigh injury.

Phinisee’s injury will hurt Indiana in a tough stretch of play this January. The Hoosiers have some options to replace the talented freshman, but he’s already taken the point guard spot by the reigns, and the Hoosiers are better with him in the lineup. They will want him back soon.