UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Duke sophomore big man Chase Jeter suffered a left ankle injury during No. 1 Duke’s 78-68 win over Penn State at the Mohegan Sun Arena and coach Mike Krzyzewski said he was “doubtful” for Sunday’s championship game against No. 21 Rhode Island in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off.
“Chase, we gotta see,” Krzyzewski said. “I don’t know enough right now. He was walking, he just couldn’t push off of it. If he can play, he’ll play. But right now I would say doubtful.”
He added: “We’re banged up more than any team I’ve ever coached.”
Early in the first half, Jeter collided with Penn State’s Mike Watkins under the Penn State basket and lay on the floor writhing in pain, clutching his ankle before play eventually stopped. After being attended to by trainers, he was helped off the court as he hopped on his right leg. Jeter later returned to the bench with about 6 minutes remaining in the first half.
Duke, which played for the first time since losing to Kansas on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden, is already without three injured freshmen bigs in Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles and Marques Bolden, who sat on the end of the Duke bench in sweatsuits.
“The three won’t play [Sunday],” Krzyzewski said.
“We’re trying to win with the hand that’s dealt to us right now,” he added. “A lot of bluffs.”
Krzyzewski went to little-used 7-foot sophomore Antonio Vrankovic with Jeter out of the game.
“When Chase went down, Antonio came in and gave us a spark,” said graduate big man Amile Jefferson said. “It’s about next man up.”
Frank Jackson led Duke (3-1) with 17 points, Jefferson had 16 points and 15 rebounds and Luke Kennard and Matt Jones scored 15 apiece.
Tony Carr paced Penn State (2-2) with 20 points, Shep Garner added 15, Payton Banks 13 and Lamar Stevens 11.
Photo: USA Today Sports
