It’s been just four weeks since Luke Fischer suffered a chipped bone in his right knuckle that required surgery, but the 6-foot-9 junior from Germantown, Wisconsin says he’s nearing a return.
“We know that I get my pins out next week on Monday [the 13th]. We have a game on the 14th, the next day,” Fischer told Inside the Hall. “If the doctor releases me, we’re hoping to get out there a little bit and see what it starts to be like. I don’t think I’ll be playing a lot, but it will just feel good to get back out there.”
Without Fischer in the lineup, Germantown (18-0) has continued to dominate the highest level competition in Wisconsin.
The Warhawks, ranked No. 1 in the latest Associated Press Division I top ten poll, have not played a game closer than 11 points all season. Watching his teammates succeed during his absence has only made Fischer more hungry to return.
“It’s terrible [being out],” he said. “Even during practice now I’m getting bored sitting out, I just want to get back in there. I never thought I’d ever say that but I just want to get out there and play again.”
Through 12 games prior to his injury, Fischer was averaging 16.8 points per game.
Fischer’s been unable to do much with his right hand since suffering the injury on Jan. 12. So he’s increased work on other parts of his game.
“A lot of running. We have our strength coach come in and do some like band work with me,” Fischer said. “Dribbling, speed and quickness stuff. A lot of left-handed hook shots and left-handed tips. I’m getting real good dunking with my left hand, too. It kind of feels weird, but it’s going to help my game a lot.”
After a road win over the Boilermakers on Saturday night in Mackey Arena, the Hoosiers return home to Assembly Hall for a Thursday night meeting with Illinois. The Fighting Illini have dropped four of five and are 1-3 on the road in Big Ten play.
Around the Hall is recommended reading from the Inside the Hall crew. So go ahead, get your read on.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As a 13-point lead melted to four with 3:27 remaining, this group of Hoosiers found themselves at a crossroads.
