Too Early To Tell on Roth's Return

Bloomington – Sophomore guard Matt Roth’s hopes of returning from a broken foot this season remain up in the air.

During Monday’s Big Ten Teleconference, IU Coach Tom Crean said the 6’3” shooting guard from Washington, Ill., has been going through the rehabilitation process with the goal of getting back on the floor during the 2009-10 season. But the ultimate decision on his return will come from IU’s medical staff at a yet-to-be determined date.

“We’d like to have him back (this year), but that’s going to totally be on what the future x-rays show when it’s be to be evaluated again,” said Crean.

Roth injured his right foot Nov. 18 during a practice in Puerto Rico, shortly before IU’s game against Ole Miss. Roth, who averaged 2.0 points and 5.5 minutes in the season’s first two games, has been in a walking cast ever since.

While Roth’s minutes were limited in the season’s first two games, his return would aid an IU team that lost its starting shooting guard, Maurice Creek, for the season with a knee injury Dec. 28. Creek was not only IU’s leading scorer at 16.4 points/game, but his 30 3-pointers are more than double anyone else on the roster (Devan Dumes and Jordan Hulls have each made 14). Roth ranked second on last year’s team with 57 3-pointers and a 37.3 percentage from 3-point range. He was particularly good during conference play, averaging 7.8 points while shooting 38.1 percent from deep. That included a 29-point performance against Ohio State when he made a school record nine 3-pointers.

Roth won’t be ready for Indiana’s game at Ohio State Wednesday, and Crean continues to take a wait-and-see approach to his return.

“His attitude is great, his work ethic is outstanding,” Crean said. “But it’s far too early to tell if we’re going to have him back this season.”