Nov. 7--Coach Thad Matta said after practice yesterday that he does not expect injured center Dallas Lauderdale to play in the Ohio State men's basketball team's regular-season opener Monday night.

The No. 16 Buckeyes play Alcorn State at 7 p.m. in Value City Arena in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. They play host to James Madison on Thursday in the second round of the tournament.

"Hopefully on Thursday he'll be good to go," Matta said.

Lauderdale practiced yesterday with a soft cast protecting his right hand, in which the fourth metacarpal was broken Oct. 12. He had surgery two days later in which three screws were inserted to stabilize the bone.

His initial prognosis for recovery was four to six weeks. Wednesday will be four weeks from surgery.

Matta said fifth-year senior Kyle Madsen probably will start for Lauderdale.

bbaptist@dispatch.com

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