Keita Bates-Diop

Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop left Thursday's game against Providence with an apparent leg injury.

(Paul Vernon, Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What looked like a potentially devastating injury for Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop turned out to be a little less serious.

Thad Matta said Bates-Diop suffered a sprained right ankle on a play when his leg got caught behind him as he fell to the floor during Thursday night's game against Providence.

"He's day-to-day, but we need him back for sure," Matta said.

Bates-Diop was helped off the floor by trainers midway through the second half, then walked to the locker room with a limp but under his own power. To that point, he had eight points and four rebounds in 24 minutes.

Ohio State next plays on Monday night against Western Carolina.