West Virginia star Da’Sean Butler says sore hand won’t affect his game in regional final

Banged-up Butler says he’s OK to play for WVU

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — West Virginia star Da’Sean Butler says his injured right hand won’t affect his play in the East Regional final Saturday against Kentucky.

Butler says he wrapped his hand and wrist in ice after Friday’s practice as a precaution. Butler clutched his right hand in pain after a hard fall in West Virginia’s 69-56 win over Washington in the NCAA tournament Thursday night.

Butler says he shot well at practice and hopes that will carry over into Saturday’s game against top-seeded Kentucky.

He has hit six game-winning shots for the second-seeded Mountaineers this season and leads them in scoring at 17.4 points per game.

(This version CORRECTS spelling of ‘Da’Sean’ in lede)