Irish lose sixth man V.J. Beachem to injury

SOUTH BEND - Notre Dame entered Wednesday's game against No. 19 Michigan State short-handed with the loss of sophomore swingman v.J. Beachem.

Beachem, who has worked as the team's sixth man and had already hit a career-high 15 3-pointers the first seven games, is expected to miss up to a month with a plantar fascia (foot) injury suffered Tuesday during practice.

All Irish practices are closed to the media. Irish coach Mike Brey was expected to address Beachem's injury following Wednesday's game.

Beachem was averaging 8.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 16.0 minutes a game. He was shooting 57.1 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from 3. Beachem hit for a career-high 19 points last Wednesday against Coppin State.

Beachem's injury likely allows junior power forward Austin Burgett to move up in the rotation - if he's healthy. Burgett has been slowed this season by ankle injury and also did not play in the second half of Saturday's game against Chicago State because of the flu.

Sophomore Austin Torres and freshman Bonzie Colson also may see increased minutes.