Evan Turner Out 8 Weeks

[Scott Hall]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State star Evan Turner will miss eight weeks after breaking bones in his back when he fell while dunking during Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan.

Initial X-rays indicated no serious injuries, but Buckeyes athletic trainer Vince O'Brien said later tests found transverse process fractures of the second and third lumbar vertebra of Turner's spine.

"My primary concern right now is Evan's long-term health and well-being," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "Evan was to this point in the season the best player in college basketball. We have been through tough situations before and our guys will regroup and prepare for the rest of our season starting with Butler next week in Indianapolis."

The injury occurred after the junior swingman drove the lane and was fouled going up for a dunk with 13:27 left in the first half of the No. 15 Buckeyes' game against Eastern Michigan.

Turner missed the dunk and hung on the rim with his feet flying into a nearly horizontal position, before falling on his back under the basket. He spent several minutes on the floor before walking with help to the locker room.

The Buckeyes (7-1), leading 15-5 at the time of the spill, went on to a 111-60 victory.

Turner, who came into the game averaging 20.6 points and 12.9 rebounds, was taken to the Ohio State University Medical Center for X-rays of his lower back. Initial tests showed no broken bones or substantial damage, but Matta said Turner would undergo more intensive tests before leaving the hospital. That is when the spinal breaks were noticed.

After the game, Matta said it appeared Turner would be fine.

"Everything looked good on the X-ray," Matta said. "At this point, I'm pretty optimistic everything's going to be OK. I haven't seen the fall yet, but we're obviously thinking about him and hoping that everything's going to be OK."

Turner's injury marks the second year in a row at almost the same point in the season that one of the Buckeyes' top players has been sidelined.

Last season, David Lighty, the team captain and most experienced player, broke his foot in the seventh game and missed the rest of the season. The Buckeyes, with Turner playing an increasingly larger role, went 22-11 before losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Turner's stock rose so high that he considered jumping to the NBA after the season, but elected to return. He recorded two triple doubles in Ohio State's first five games -- the second and third triple-doubles ever for a Buckeye.

Ohio State is off the next week for final exams and will play next at Butler on Saturday.

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[Built Ford Tough]

Tough break for both Ohio State and Evan Turner. Turner was playing great ball to begin the season and looked poised to make a run Player of the Year. Hopefully he can bounce back from this injury and it won't have any sort of lingering effect on him heading forward.

This is a huge blow to the Buckeyes though. I don't know a lot about their roster this season but I do know that Turner was definitely the MVP of that team so losing him for 2 months is going to be a huge test for the rest of the team.

[CP3]

I just hope that this injury doesn't effect his long-term health. It would be horrible for him to turn out paralyzed or something. I haven't heard much since the time of the injury.

[Charles aka Cockmunch]

evan turner is a mad baller (soz late reply)

[Scott Hall]

He's back. He had 8 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in his 19 minute return.

[Charles aka Cockmunch]

He's back. He had 8 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in his 19 minute return.

he fucking killed it against purdue. evan turner = bigger version of roy

[RodneyStuckey3]

Evan Turner is the best player in this draft, claim.

[PFortyy]

^ Claim denied. pwnt.

[RodneyStuckey3]

^ Claim denied. pwnt.

lol just watch, I don't believe in all the John Wall hype

[Charles aka Cockmunch]

he was talkin bout al farouq aminu

but forrealz montiejunas is teh best den ev turner den john wall.

[Charles aka Cockmunch]

he was talkin bout al farouq aminu

but forrealz montiejunas is teh best den ev turner den john wall.

[Bangers&Nash]

I hope this guy ends up like DeJuan Blair, drops his stock and the Suns pick him!

[Rich-E]

Fuck John Wall, this kid is the truth.
I say we get him, trade Maggette and someone else for a good Big and we're in the playoffs.

[PFortyy]

Fuck John Wall, this kid is the truth.
I say we get him, trade Maggette and someone else for a good Big and we're in the playoffs.

Yeah, us getting the number 1 pick would just stir the pot with the current Ellis/Curry backcourt.. Turner, Aminu, Johnson would be nice.

[Rich-E]

Yeah, us getting the number 1 pick would just stir the pot with the current Ellis/Curry backcourt.. Turner, Aminu, Johnson would be nice.

Yeah, I like our backcourt combo as it is. Adding another guard would just cause as problems and distractions for the team.
I would love Aminu on the team. Having him play the 4 or 3 would be nice. Between Turner and Johnson, Turner has my vote. He's a great ball handler and looks like he could make an immediate impact on an NBA team.