Kyle Young’s status to be decided before Nebraska game; D.J. Carton still out

The last time the Ohio State men’s basketball team faced Nebraska, the Buckeyes started a lineup that included freshman D.J. Carton at the point and junior Kyle Young at power forward.

In Thursday’s rematch at Pinnacle Bank Arena, at least one of those two player will be unavailable.

Young’s status will be determined at shoot-around Thursday afternoon after he suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s win against No. 7 Maryland, coach Chris Holtmann said Wednesday.

There is still no timetable for a return to action for Carton after he took a leave of absence from the program to address his mental health.

Young will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, with the team.

“He’s day to day and continues to be evaluated,” Holtmann said. “Obviously all of us saw the injury the other day. We’ll know more here with each passing day. We’ll decide (Thursday) whether he’ll be in plain clothes or uniform (for the game).”

In an 80-68 win at Value City Arena on Jan. 14, Young had 10 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. It was his second game back after missing two games after undergoing an appendectomy Dec. 29.

Immediately after Sunday’s game, Holtmann described Young’s injury as a high ankle sprain.

“We’ll know by shoot-around for sure,” the coach said. “I’m not certainly promising one thing one way or the other, but it was a significant ankle sprain.”

Carton, meanwhile, returned to campus Friday after returning to his hometown of Bettendorf, Iowa, in late January in order to start addressing his personal situation.

The freshman will have to go through extensive medical protocols before being allowed to rejoin the team.

“He’s not been back with the group,” Holtmann said. “We’re really excited. It’s great to have D.J. back here on campus. Great to have him back, but he’s just resumed academic activities.

“He’s been going through the medical process of all that goes into that, meeting with the appropriate medical personnel, therapist, and all those things that I think he and his family as well as we as coaches are in full support of. Excited that he’s going through that. We’ve got great support and great help here, so really glad he’s going through that and he’s great to have him back.”

Carton had 13 points and five assists against the Cornhuskers earlier this season.

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy

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