Nebraska guard Sam Griesel ruled out vs Purdue with hip injury

Nebraska will play its Friday game against Purdue without point guard Sam Griesel. He’s been ruled out with a hip injury, a school spokesperson told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

Griesel played 32 minutes in Monday’s loss to Illinois and the decision to rule him out vs. Purdue is somewhat surprising. He also missed time earlier this year due to an illness.

Griesel, who transferred in from North Dakota State, has emerged as a key piece of the Nebraska roster this season. He averages 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Cornhuskers and has started all 16 games in which he’s appeared.

Griesel missed Nebraska’s game against Indiana earlier this year, a game in which the Hoosiers cruised to an 81-65 victory. After that game, coach Fred Hoiberg addressed Griesel’s absence and what he brings to the Cornhuskers this year.

“Listen, this was a monumental challenge if we had Sam in the lineup,” Hoiberg said. “Once we found out about an hour and a half before the game, one of the things it affects, from our standpoint, is we become pretty small without Sam out there. He gives us a 6-7 point guard, gives us length on the perimeter and he’s an excellent rebounder for his position. We won every game but one, I think, before tonight on the glass. That was a big difference.

“Again, I thought they played more physical than we did tonight. That was Mike’s message the last two days after Rutgers. I thought they came out and played a very physical and very effective game.”

Tip-off between Nebraska and Purdue is set for 7 p.m. ET Friday night from Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. Last time the two teams faced off, the Boilermakers and Cornhuskers went to overtime before Purdue pulled away for the 65-62 victory.