INDIANAPOLIS — Butler will play its next two games without leading scorer Rotnei Clarke.

The 13th-ranked Bulldogs said Monday night that a sprained neck will keep the 6-foot guard out of Wednesday night’s home game against Richmond and Saturday’s showdown at Hinkle Fieldhouse with No. 8 Gonzaga.

Team trainer Ryan Galloy said Clarke visited a specialist earlier in the day and that the decision was made in the “best interest” of Clarke’s health.

Clarke, the former Razorback, was injured during the first half of Saturday’s 79-73 victory at Dayton. He was fouled as he drove in for a layup and crashed into the basket support. Clarke said he initially lost feeling from the neck down. He was later released from a local hospital after being taken off the court on a stretcher.

Sports, Pages 19 on 01/15/2013