Isaac Haas is trying to figure out a way to play with a fractured elbow

With Purdue headed to the Sweet 16 and some time between games now, Isaac Haas is clinging to the hope his college career is not over.

The Purdue Boilermakers moved on to the Sweet 16 with a 76-73 win over Butler on Sunday. Center Isaac Haas did not play, due a fractured right elbow he suffered in the first round against Cal State-Fullerton on Friday.

Haas did suit up and warm up before Sunday’s game, on the faint chance he could play, but the brace he was wearing was also not approved by the NCAA. Coach Matt Painter has consistently said Haas has no chance to play if he’s essentially one-armed, and he’d have to be able to shoot free throws right-handed.

“I told (Haas) when he went out ‘You got to get two-handed rebounds and you got to shoot right handed free throws,'” Painter told reporters. “So if he can do those two things he can help us because he’s going to get fouled. Him going out there and missing two free throws isn’t going to help us.”

But Haas is not ready to concede that his college career is over.

“Even if it’s just one minute, it’s worth it,” Haas said Sunday afternoon. “Maybe with some decrease in inflammation. Maybe with some opportunities to rest it without any kind of additional treatment, maybe some natural healing will do it well. One thing is for sure: I’m going to ride with these guys as long as they last.”

Next: 5 candidates to replace Kevin Ollie at UConn

The Boilermakers will play No. 3 seed Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 on Friday, as the East Region moves to and finishes in Boston. So Haas has five more days to do some combination of rest and natural healing, along with some possible treatment. Even if he’s cleared to play by Purdue’s medical staff, which does not seem likely, Haas will also have to find a comfortable brace the NCAA will deem to be suitable.