Gophers' Carter day-to-day because of ankle injury

When Paul Carter's scary injury was diagnosed as an ankle sprain.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 28, 2008 - 7:45 AM

When Paul Carter tripped over teammate Ralph Sampson III and immediately grabbed his right leg Wednesday night, many feared the worst. But the injury that caused Carter to scream in pain during an 88-67 victory over Eastern Washington was diagnosed as an ankle sprain, Gophers spokesman Matt Slieter said Thursday.

Carter is listed as day-to-day after postgame X-rays ruled out a more serious injury.

The junior college transfer has averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in the team's first games. The 6-8 forward filled in for junior Damian Johnson at power forward when Johnson missed the team's first three games of the year with a broken left hand.

The Gophers already are missing senior center Jonathan Williams, who is recovering after surgery to repair a hernia. And numerous other players have missed practices and games, including leading scorer Lawrence Westbrook (right shin), who sat out Wednesday. After the victory, coach Tubby Smith said he had never experienced so many injuries so early in the year.

This season's Gophers team is the first to begin the season 5-0 since former coach Dan Monson's first season, 1999-2000.

The Gophers face North Dakota State Saturday afternoon at Williams Arena.