Shurna questionable with concussion
Northwestern star John Shurna did more than hurt his chin when he was shoved into the basket stanchion at Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Coach Bill Carmody told the Chicago Tribune that Shurna also suffered a concussion that leaves him questionable for Saturday's showdown with No. 1 Ohio State at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
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The junior forward was driving to the basket late in the first half when Minnesota's Ralph Sampson III appeared to push him in the back. Shurna's head hit the padded basket support and he cut his chin. He remained on the floor for several minutes.
He eventually received six stitches and played the second half with a bandage on his chin. He was allowed to play because he was showing no symptoms, according to Carmody. He scored five points in the second half of Northwestern's 81-70 loss.
Carmody said it was too early to determine the severity of the concussion and whether his leading scorer will be able to play against the Buckeyes on Saturday.
"They don't know yet whether it's real bad because it hasn't been even 24 hours," Carmody said before NU's Thursday practice.
This is the second setback for Shurna this season. He suffered a high ankle sprain during Northwestern's 70-47 win over Mt. St. Mary's on Dec. 23 and hasn't been the same since. His scoring average has gone from 24.4 points per game before the injury to 14.1 after, according to the Tribune.