Kevin McGuff Offers Injury Update Ahead Of Indiana Matchup

Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff said Saturday that he is “cautiously optimistic” regarding forward Rebeka Mikulášiková potentially playing on Monday against Indiana, while guard Jacy Sheldon remains day-to-day.

Mikulášiková left in the first quarter of Ohio State’s win over Minnesota on Wednesday due to what McGuff called a high ankle sprain. She did not return to the game, though she did return to the bench after halftime with a boot on her left leg.

Despite what looked like an impactful injury, McGuff said there’s a chance Mikulášiková sees the floor at home against the Hoosiers.

“Rebeka, I’m cautiously optimistic she should be good to go Monday night,” he said. “I’ll know a little bit more today when we get to practice, see how she’s moving around.”

If Mikulášiková is limited or unable to go, the Buckeyes would look to a combination of forward Eboni Walker and guard Taylor Thierry to stop Indiana and forward Mackenzie Holmes.

“(Holmes is) one of the best post players in the country, so we certainly have our hands full,” McGuff said. “It’d be a combination of Eboni with more minutes like she did the other night. I thought she did a really nice job in there. We would also have to slide Taylor Thierry over there. She’s a little smaller, but her athleticism makes up for a lot.”

As for Sheldon, she returned last week against Maryland but was held out against Minnesota in a planned absence. She has not suffered a setback in her injury recovery, but the coaching staff is still taking a conservative approach to her minutes as they try to ensure her availability down the stretch.

“It’s really, at this point, making sure we have her whole body so we don’t put her in position to risk something else,” McGuff said. “She’s chomping at the bit to play. It’s probably more me right now than anything, still day-to-day.

“I’m watching her move – and I’ll just be frank – I didn’t think she was moving (at Maryland) like she normally does when she was healthy, so I took a step back and said, ‘Hey, I just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing here,'” he continued. “Still watching her, she’s still doing things in practice, but I would still say day-to-day.”