Purdue sophomore guard C.J. Cox left Saturday’s NCAA Tournament game with an apparent knee injury, but the early outlook appears encouraging after the Boilermakers secured the win and advanced to the Sweet 16.
Cox went down with just over 17 minutes remaining in the second half and did not return. Purdue, however, was able to pull away and finish off the victory without him.
After the game, Cox said the injury occurred on a drive to the basket and did not sound overly concerned about the severity.
“I just went for a Euro and then I hyperextended it, and it tightened up a little bit,” Cox said. “Nothing serious.”
Pro Football Doc also weighed in on the injury, noting that the hope is Cox is dealing with only a hyperextension, though bone bruise concerns can still exist even in less severe cases.
Purdue now turns its attention to a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 11 seed Texas on Thursday in San Jose, California.
Cox has started all 36 games this season and has been a steady contributor for the Boilermakers, averaging 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals in a little more than 24 minutes per game. He is shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.4% from 3-point range and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Thursday’s game, but Cox’s postgame comments suggest Purdue may have avoided a more serious setback at a critical point in the tournament.
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