Syracuse forward Wes Johnson is still sore but expects to play in the third-ranked Orange's game Sunday at Cincinnati.
``I feel a lot better than I did after the fall,'' Johnson said before practice on Friday. ``It's still a little sore, but I'm feeling a lot better.''
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim expects Johnson, who watched most of practice on Thursday, to be ready to go by the 2 p.m. tipoff Sunday.
``There's nothing I can do about it,'' Boeheim said. ``If he's ready to go, he's ready to go. I don't think we'll know for sure until Sunday, but I imagine by Sunday we will be back to full strength.''
Johnson flipped and crashed hard when fouled by Brian McKenzie while trying to convert a lob pass midway through the first half of Tuesday night's game against Providence. Johnson remained motionless for a few seconds, then got up and slowly walked to the bench.
After a media timeout, Johnson returned and made one of two free throws. He stayed in the game but played only three minutes of the second half.
Johnson, who is averaging 17 points, said he had watched replays of the fall and lamented that he didn't land on his feet.
``I'm back moving around. My legs are coming back,'' Johnson said. ``Before, I couldn't really walk normal, but the pain is really going away. I'll be back by Sunday.
The Orange have thrived with reserves Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine playing key roles, and Johnson, on the list for the Wooden Award, said that eased his mind.
``That takes a lot of stress off my mind, knowing that I don't really have to really rush into anything,'' Johnson said. ``If I'm feeling iffy, I'll talk to coach.''
``We're all assuming that Wes is going to play,'' senior guard Andy Rautins said. ``We're not really even looking to fill his spot, but we're capable of doing that.''
