Champaign, IL – Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell is a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup against Indiana, according to Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. The potential return of the senior comes after a fractured hand sidelined him for the past seven games.
Boswell suffered the injury during a team practice in January, prompting surgery and an initial estimate of a month-long recovery period. Underwood indicated that Boswell will participate in an unrestricted practice session, and his availability for the Indiana game will be determined based on his response to the physical demands. “I don’t grasp. I’m not trying to be a smart-ass. I think he goes here tomorrow or Thursday, I think,” Underwood said Tuesday, as reported by SportsKeeda. “We’re putting him through workouts…He’s running every day. Now it’s just a matter of taking the bumps and the bruises that go along with contact on a basketball court.”
Prior to the injury, Boswell was averaging 14.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game whereas shooting 47.8% from the field. His absence has been felt by the eighth-ranked Illini, who have gone 5-2 in his absence, securing wins against Purdue and Nebraska but suffering close losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin. Illinois is currently 20-5 overall with an 11-3 record in the Big Ten.
The team recently endured a pair of overtime defeats, falling to Wisconsin 92-90 on Tuesday and to Michigan State 85-82 on February 7. Boswell’s return would provide a boost to Illinois’ perimeter defense, as he is considered the team’s top defender on the outside. If he plays, it is anticipated he will be tasked with guarding Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson.
Following Sunday’s game against Indiana, Illinois has five remaining regular-season contests, including road games against USC (February 18) and UCLA (February 21), as well as home matchups against Michigan (February 27), Oregon (March 3), and Maryland (March 8). Boswell’s shooting percentages have similarly improved this season, increasing from 42.7% from the field and 24.5% from three-point range last season to 47.8% and 30.8% respectively.