Zach Osterman

zach.osterman@indystar.com

BLOOMINGTON -- James Blackmon Jr., who missed Indiana's win Sunday over Mississippi Valley State because of injury, will likely play Wednesday against North Carolina.

Speaking with the media after practice Tuesday, IU coach Tom Crean said his leading scorer had been progressing well and would likely be available against the Tar Heels.

"We fully expect that, if James continues to progress the way that he has, that he’ll be available to us tomorrow night," Crean said at the beginning of his pre-UNC press conference.

The junior is averaging 20.5 points per game. He scored 26 against Kansas in the Hoosiers' opening win. He's also averaging seven rebounds per game, and shooting 46.9 percent from behind the arc.

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Blackmon picked up an unspecified knee injury in last week's loss at Fort Wayne, and missed Sunday's game.

Crean said after that win that Blackmon had been able to lift weights, and added during his weekly radio show that Blackmon participated in a team walkthrough Monday as well. Blackmon dressed for Sunday's game against the Delta Devils and participated in warm-ups, but didn't play.

After working out Monday and being involved in practice Tuesday, Blackmon is on track to play Wednesday night.

"He’s healing. He’s doing a little bit more every day. We didn’t practice yesterday, we worked him out (Monday) and then he was better today," Crean said Tuesday. "I’m not saying he’s 100 percent, but if he stays on the track that he’s on right now, he’ll play."

A final decision on Blackmon's status will be made Wednesday.

"Our plan is that he will (play)," Crean said, "but we’ve got to wait and see tomorrow."

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.