Why Donovan Ivory, Victor Hart didn't play for Southern Miss basketball vs. ULM
HATTIESBURG – Just as Southern Miss men’s basketball appeared to be nearing full health, it has suffered another vicious bite from the injury bug.
Guard Donovan Ivory, who is third on the team in scoring, did not play Thursday night against ULM. Victor Hart didn’t play either despite returning from an eight-game absence on Saturday.
They are part of a list of six players who were unavailable for Southern Miss due to various injuries. Not to mention they are also still without coach Jay Ladner after he was hospitalized due to a “heart-related medical emergency” last week.
The injuries are starting to catch up with the Golden Eagles (14-12, 7-6 Sun Belt Conference), who fell 68-59 to ULM (10-14, 5-8).
It’s the first time Southern Miss has lost a conference game at home since joining the Sun Belt last season.
“We’re not gonna make any excuses,” Southern Miss acting head coach Juan Cardona said. “We gotta make sure that the ones that are able to play, whenever that time comes, they are able to plug in and play.”
Donovan Ivory in a boot, on crutches
Ivory was spotted in a boot and on crutches at Reed Green Coliseum during the Southern Miss women’s basketball game that occurred before the men played.
Cardona said afterward that Ivory sustained the injury during a drill earlier in the day when he stepped on someone else’s foot.
Cardona said USM is unsure how long Ivory will be out. The fear that it is a similar injury to what Neftali Alvarez suffered last season, which limited him to 15 games.
“It’s day to day,” Cardona said. “He’s trying to push through it, but I don’t know the time frame that if he’s gonna be back.”
Ivory has started 22 games this season and is averaging 13.1 points per game while shooting 40.9% on 3-point attempts.
Victor Hart experiences setback
Hart returned to action Saturday in Southern Miss’ win over Western Michigan. He scored 11 points off the bench in 16 minutes.
However, Cardona said Hart felt discomfort in the knee that he hyperextended on Jan. 11 — coincidentally against ULM.
“He’s day to day," Cardona said, "but we just got to stay behind him and go with whatever Todd (McCall), who I think is the best (athletic trainer) in the business, will tell us. We gotta go with whatever soldiers we got that day.”
Hart is Southern Miss’ second-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounds per game (6.1) and his 1.8 steals per game are tied for the best in the conference.
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Who else is injured for Southern Miss?
Andre Curbelo remains out because of a concussion. There was no update provided Thursday after Curbelo saw a doctor on Monday.
Luke Ladner is fighting through a back injury, Cardona said. He hasn't dressed in the past three games and has only appeared in four games this season.
Alvarez and Lieb Yat have been out for the season because of preseason injuries.
Jose Benitez had been out because of a concussion, though he returned Thursday and played 13 high-energy minutes off the bench.
“That team keeps taking hits," Cardona said. "Whenever you think they are going in the right direction, something else happens.
"But that’s the makeup of a championship team. They’re gonna keep coming and I guarantee you they’re gonna be ready on Saturday.”
Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Injury bug bites Southern Miss basketball again before loss to ULM
