Indiana basketball guard Xavier Johnson ‘out indefinitely’ with elbow injury

Indiana basketball senior point guard Xavier Johnson is ‘out indefinitely’, a team spokesman said after Indiana’s win over Ohio State on Tuesday night.

Indiana stormed back from 18 points down in the second half to win 76-73 and earn its first Quad one win of the season.

Johnson — who exited in the second half of Indiana’s win over Iowa last Tuesday after taking a hard fall on his elbow — missed his second straight game against the Buckeyes.

On Saturday, Johnson was seen with a bulky brace on his elbow — something he wore again on Tuesday.

“I don’t know when X is going to be back,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said postgame. “He’s doubtful (right now). I don’t know how long, really. I don’t.”

Johnson, a sixth-year point guard, has had a very disappointing season — both from a health and production standpoint. He is averaging just 8.3 points and 2.1 assists — both career lows — in 14 games. Johnson missed seven games earlier this season with a foot injury.

Since his return, he has averaged just 6.6 points on 34.8 percent shooting. He also has 17 turnovers to just 16 assists.

After playing just 11 games last year due to a broken foot, Johnson has missed nine games this season — and now likely more.

“Mentally, it’s been probably tough on him, man. You know, I’m the only one, along with his family and friends, can probably help him get out of this rut. Because he has had his ups and downs this season, and I feel his frustration, man,” Woodson said earlier this year. “But we’ve still got a lot of Big Ten games left. There’s a lot of room for him to get back on track, and you know, that’s what I’m pushing — trying to push him in the right direction to get there.”

Indiana basketball improved to 14-9 overall and 6-6 in Big Ten play on Tuesday. The Hoosiers return to the floor on Saturday at No. 2 Purdue.

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