Will Jalen Hood-Schifino return for Indiana basketball vs. No. 8 Kansas?

Jalen Hood-Schifino has missed his first three college games for Indiana basketball with back soreness. Will he return versus No. 8 Kansas in Lawrence after a full week of rest?

This is a question that all of Hoosier Nation must be wondering, especially with how the offense looked against Rutgers on December 1, and, especially, how Xavier Johnson has been playing without him in the lineup.

In his last game played, Hood-Schifino had a career night against No. 18 North Carolina, with a career-high 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc in a career-high 36 minutes played.

Of course, speculation would make its rounds thinking that Coach Woodson’s minutes for Hood-Schifino maybe led to his back soreness, but this comes with adjusting to the college game, especially once you start playing big power conference teams like North Carolina and others.

LATEST UPDATES ON JALEN HOOD-SCHIFINO

Thursday, December 15th – Mike Woodson says Jalen Hood-Schifino will participate in practice on Thursday and, “we’re gonna let him bang a little bit and see where he is tomorrow”.

Thursday, December 15th – Mike Woodson mentions how Jalen Hood-Schifino has, “kind of shot around and done some things. He’s moving around” over the last few days.

Saturday, December 10th – Jalen Hood-Schifino is ruled out for Saturday’s top-15 matchup against No. 10 Arizona — Trey Galloway will start in his place, yet again.

Saturday, December 10th – Jalen Hood-Schifino is going to “test things out at shootaround this morning” and then a decision will be made on his status for the game vs. No. 10 Arizona.

Wednesday, December 7th – Jalen Hood-Schifino is ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup against Nebraska due to back soreness — Trey Galloway, again, replaced JHS in the starting lineup.

Tuesday, December 6th – Coach Mike Woodson says, “I don’t know when Jalen will be back” during his media availability prior to Wednesday’s game against Nebraska.

Monday, December 5th – During Monday’s weekly radio show, Coach Mike Woodson stated that Jalen Hood-Schifino “is day-to-day” and “mentally, he just has to stay with it… Just do what the trainer is telling him”.

Saturday, December 3rd – Jalen Hood-Schifino is ruled out of Saturday’s contest against Rutgers due to a back injury — Trey Galloway replaced Hood-Schifino in the starting lineup.

One might also say that Hood-Schifino may have a sore back due to all the heavy lifting he’s doing at point guard as a freshman. I think it’s time for Xavier Johnson and the other upperclassmen and step up if Hood-Schifino can’t give it a go.

Check back here for more updates on Jalen Hood-Schifino as we approach tip-off against No. 8 Kansas in less than 24 hours! Go Hoosiers!