Today’s game
Who: Dayton (10-3) vs. George Mason (9-3)
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: UD Arena
TV: FS Ohio
Radio: WHIO-AM (1290), WHIO-FM (95.7)
DAYTON — Chris Johnson feels fit enough to play tonight when the University of Dayton hosts George Mason in a crucial game for both teams, and the standout wing did his best to prove he was ready to go during practice Tuesday.
After being sidelined for two days with a strained groin, Johnson loosened up on an exercise bike and then was allowed to join his teammates for live drills — at least for a limited time.
“I feel great, but they told me I was doing too much,” Johnson said afterward.
Although UD trainer Nate Seymour lists Johnson as “probable,” the Flyers likely won’t know whether they’ll have their second-leading scorer and rebounder until they see how he does during pregame warm-ups.
Seymour and team doctor Sean Convery initially had trouble diagnosing Johnson’s ailment.
“It’s not like a typical groin strain,” Seymour said. “It’s really where the muscle originates at the bone. It’s hard to ice. We’re trying to decrease the overall inflammation.
“He said he was almost nauseous (from the pain) Sunday. I thought, this could be serious. It could be kidney stones. ... He had the same thing last year.”
Freshman Brandon Spearman probably would start if Johnson can’t go. And UD coach Brian Gregory isn’t counting on having his high-energy junior just yet.
“He’s going to need to improve, no doubt about it,” Gregory said after practice.
“(But) it’s not my call. If the doctor says he can go and the player says he can go, generally he plays.”
Near sellout
Gary McCans, UD’s director of premium seating, said the Flyers are close to having their second sellout of the season. Fewer than 100 tickets are left for the George Mason game — despite the students being on holiday break until Jan. 18.
The Flyers drew a capacity crowd of 13,435 for the Miami game Dec. 4.
Contact this writer at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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