Ohio State: Turner Returns Nearly a Month Ahead of Schedule

After a scary fall while dunking against Eastern Michigan Dec. 5, Ohio State’s Evan Turner returned to the starting lineup in the Buckeyes’ 79-54 win against Indiana, according to an Associated Press report.
Turner had a decent return, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in 20 minutes. Before the injury, which doctors thought would shelve him for eight weeks, Turner averaged 18.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He is a likely candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year and key to the Buckeyes’ post-season aspirations.
While Turner recuperated, Ohio State went 3-3, including two losses to Wisconsin and Michigan to open conference play. The team also has dropped out of the top 25. With Turner back in the lineup, Ohio State hopes to rally in the conference and the polls. Turner needs to continue to play well to show the NCAA Tournament selection committee that the Buckeyes are the team that started 10-2 while Turner was in the lineup in November and early December.