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The Chester Frazier injury mini-drama took another step Monday.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber said Frazier, who underwent surgery last week on a broken hand, is considered "a little of bit of a longshot" to play when No. 5 Illinois meets No. 12 Western Kentucky in the NCAA tournament Thursday (8:55 p.m., WCIA).

"If he did play it would be minimal. If we could just have him a little bit (it would help)," Weber said. "He's such a good energy guy, motivator and defender. ... Their guards are so good, we're going to need all the help we can get in trying to defend."

Weber said Frazier took part in conditioning Monday at the team's practice facility. The senior guard, a member of his high school's cross-country team, can run for days, so his wind probably wouldn't be an issue. Weber said Frazier would be re-evaluated today before the Illini board a charter flight for Portland, Ore.

"He said it happened in practice. He said he went up for a rebound and hit somebody's knee. He said he heard a 'crunch,'" Chester's older brother, James Frazier, said by phone Monday. "Our mom asked him if it hurts. He said, 'Mom, it's a broken hand. What do you think?'"

If Frazier can't play Thursday, there's a line of thinking he might be able to play Saturday, if Illinois advances. That's a lot of ifs, but the Illini are holding out hope they'll have the bionic Baltimorian at some point in the NCAA tournament.

"I don't think a broken arm would stop him from playing. They're going to have to handcuff him to stop him from playing," James Frazier said. "Being from the neighborhood where we're from, getting hurt is a part of it. He's played through a lot of injuries growing up. He's played through a lot at Illinois."