The Star Press from Muncie, Indiana • B1

The Star Press FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018 1B Sports Victor played. Victor scored. Victor sang. Victor celebrated. And all was right in the world of the Indiana Pacers.

After dealing with a sore knee for more than three weeks, All-Star guard Victor Oladipo returned to the lineup Wednesday night and the surging Pac- ers skip a beat. In 29 minutes, Oladipo scored 12 points, hauled in 10 rebounds and dished out six assists to help lead Indiana to its straight victory a dominating 113-97 win against the Eastern Conference ri- val Milwaukee Bucks (18-9). Welcomed back to the team with rau- cous applause from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse faithful during pregame in- troductions, Oladipo gave fans plenty to cheer about. The highlight of evening came on a third-quarter drive to the basket that showcased his incred- ible burst and ability and more importantly that his knee was holding up just Oladipo exploded past his defender, got to the rim in an instant and dropped in a high-arcing layup over a pair of sizable Bucks. The crowd erupt- ed with this signature maneuver, and when Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer Pacers guard Victor Oladipo hits a layup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

MYKAL STAR Oladipo has return in Pacers win Jim Ayello Indianapolis Star USA TODAY NETWORK See PACERS, Page 2B WEST LAFAYETTE We seen or heard from Elijah Sindelar since the Purdue quarterback was directing the in the rain against Eastern Michigan at Ross-Ade Stadium. That was Sept. 8, the second straight loss to start the season. Over the last 10 games, the redshirt junior played. been at prac- tice.

been on the sidelines each Saturday. He helps starter David Blough. go through his regular war- mup routine and stay loose during breaks. He was available in an emergen- cy if Blough an injury and was unable to continue. Sindelar is ready and eager to play.

Just not right now. The combination of an upper-body injury the week of the Missouri game and tendinitis in his surgically re- paired left knee has kept him out of ac- tion. However, there might be good news. The Kentucky native could be in a posi- tion to obtain an additional year of eligi- bility from the NCAA if he play in the upcoming bowl game against Au- burn. was unfortunate but turning out to be better than I hoped for, I guess, because I have the potential to get this season back with the medical redshirt and it would give me two years to play without having knee problems and be able to get my Sindelar See PURDUE, Page 2B Purdue QB Sindelar talks knee, potential 6th year Mike Carmin Lafayette Journal Courier USA TODAY NETWORK Purdue Quarterback Elijah Sindelar could be in a position to obtain an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA if he play in the upcoming bowl game against Auburn.

JOHN JOURNAL COURIER Darius Leonard is aware of the de- bate. Leonard vs. Leighton Vander Esch. Colt vs. Cowboy.

The Maniac vs. The Wolf Hunter. The two most productive lineback- ers in a rookie class long on defensive talent. Every time unbeliev- able rookie season in Indianapolis is mentioned as a Defensive Rookie of the Year-worthy campaign, some- quick to make a case that Van- der Esch is better, and vice versa. Leonard has heard about all of this He just care.

Not enough to pay it any attention. Leonard said. not go- ing to help me win any football games. What people say on Twitter do anything for me, as long as my winning, and doing everything I can to help my team win, all worried Both Leonard and Vander Esch have done plenty to help the Colts and Cow- boys rebound from disappointing starts and get back in the race. Leonard leads the entire NFL with 135 tackles, leads all rookies with four forced fumbles and ranks second among rookies with seven sacks, along with an interception and four passes defended.

Vander Esch, for his part, ranks seventh in the NFL with 108 tackles, has broken up seven passes and picked two more. All of these numbers have been hot- ly debated, tossed around as fans try to out the best of an impres- sive rookie linebacker class that also includes Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds and San Fred Warner. A showdown of sorts is brewing on Sunday, when Vander Cowboys travel to Lucas Oil to take on Colts. But it be the time been around each other. Vander Esch and Leonard visited Dallas at the same time during the pre- draft process, a two-day trip that in- cluded the two linebackers staying to- gether.

talked football the whole Leonard said. very smart. A great dude, a very humble The Cowboys made Vander Esch the 19th pick of the draft, the third line- backer the board, taken 17 spots ahead of Leonard at the top of the sec- ond round. Leonard, true to form, paid close attention to what Vander Esch is Rookie LBs will meet in Colts vs. Cowboys Joel A.

Erickson Indianapolis Star USA TODAY NETWORK See COLTS, Page 2B.