Though it’s not a certainty, Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum expects Tavion Banks to be available for the Hawkeyes’ matchup with Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
“Yeah, I do (expect him to play),” McCollum said. “I think he’s doing OK. I think it got a little bit sore through that (Oregon) game. I think that’s probably what happened. Hopefully, he’ll be good to go. I’d assume he will be, but you just never know.”
Banks played less than 11 minutes — a season-low — in Iowa’s 84-66 win over Oregon on Feb. 1. He finished the contest with four points on 2-of-7 from the field and 0-of-1 from 3-point range, along with two rebounds in limited action.
McCollum hasn’t specified the nature of Banks’ injury, but did acknowledge that there is an ailment.
“He’s dealing with some stuff, so hopefully we’ll get him back healthy,” McCollum told the Register after the Oregon game.
McCollum said that Banks dealt with something similar last season at Drake, and it took some time to work through. He said that there isn’t much Banks can do in terms of rehab to expedite the recovery process.
“Not a lot for this one,” McCollum said. “We’ve just got to give him rest, hope that it goes away.”
Banks has been one of Iowa’s best players this season. Entering the Oregon game, he had scored in double-figures eight times in his last 11 games, including a season-high 26 points against Indiana. He also provides the Hawkeyes with energy, defense intensity and rebounding. He has started all but one game for Iowa this season.
The Hawkeyes will complete the back half of their Pacific Northwest road trip when they face Washington on Feb. 4.
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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Tavion Banks injury update ahead of Iowa basketball vs Washington
Reporting by Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
