Indiana Basketball Pregame Injury Report Against Florida Gulf Coast
(updated on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 5:17 p.m. ET)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Big Ten will release pregame availability reports three hours before all conference basketball games this season.
Heading into Indiana's regular season opener against Florida Gulf Coast, two Hoosiers are listed out: freshman guard Jakai Newton and walk-on redshirt freshman guard Jordan Rayford. Junior forward Payton Sparks is listed as questionable after suffering a lower body injury during Indiana's exhibition game against the University of Indianapolis on Oct. 29.
*UPDATE* Sparks is not in uniform during pregame warmups, so it looks like he won't play tonight.
Newton and Rayford being inactive does not come as a surprise, as neither played in the exhibition games. Coach Mike Woodson also gave an update on Newton's injury on Monday, saying he's starting to increase activities but redshirting remains a possibility.
With all signs pointing to Sparks being inactive, starters Malik Reneau and Kel'el Ware will handle the bulk of the front court duties, along with forward Anthony Walker coming off the bench. Mackenzie Mgbako has only played small forward for Indiana this year, by definition, but he brings good size at 6-foot-8 and 217 pounds.
After the UIndy game, Woodson said of Sparks' injury, "He's going to be fine. He's a tough dude. He'll be back on the floor, I'm sure, for the Marian game." Sparks didn't end up playing against Marian, but that's at least a sign that his injury is not long-term.
Tipoff between Indiana and Florida Gulf Coast is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
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