Bloomington, Ind. ? While starting point guard Tom Coverdale hobbled around campus on crutches Monday, Indiana practiced with Coverdale’s likely replacement, freshman Donald Perry.

Coverdale, the Hoosiers’ second-leading scorer and the player most responsible for getting his teammates into the right spots, sprained his left ankle Saturday during Indiana’s 81-69 regional final victory over Kent State.

Two days after being wheeled off the court, Coverdale wore a boot over the injured ankle but still could not put any weight on the leg.

“It’s 10 times better than it was yesterday, hopefully it will keep improving,” Coverdale said.

Coach Mike Davis said he expected Coverdale to play Saturday against Oklahoma in the first of the two national semifinals

“He couldn’t even walk before we played North Carolina-Wilmington and he played,” Davis said about the original injury Coverdale suffered in the Hoosiers’ first-round game against Utah. “I think he’ll definitely play because I know Tom.”

Davis said the Hoosiers would not know until Thursday whether Coverdale could play.