Chester Frazier emerged from his three-day media blackout Sunday night and tried to convince everyone that he really, truly thinks he can play Thursday when Illinois opens the NCAA Tournament against Western Kentucky.

Never mind that he had surgery on his right hand Thursday morning, missed the Big Ten tournament and is holding his heavily wrapped arm as if to say, “Don’t you dare get close to this thing.”

“It’s going to be my decision in the long run,” he said. “I feel this team needs me, so I’ll try my best to get back. I was hoping for a Friday-Sunday (tournament schedule), but one day doesn’t make too much of a difference. I think I’ll be alright for this weekend.”

Frazier will be re-evaluated on Monday and Tuesday before the team leaves for Portland. In honesty, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where it would be worth the risk — to Frazier and to the team — to play a one-armed guard in a game of such importance.

It’s clear that he will be limited. Coach Bruce Weber said it doesn’t matter that Frazier wouldn’t be able to shoot if he can dribble and pass. Frazier said he’ll be able to shoot. But if he can’t shoot, why put a player on the floor who the defense can completely ignore?

It’s an issue that Weber will have to confront in deciding if it makes good sense to use a wounded player, even if that player is accustomed to playing with pain. Can he help the Illini in a limited role or would his presence hurt their chances?

Because Western Kentucky has an abundance of perimeter shooters, Weber said he thinks Frazier can at least be helpful on defense, maybe in short bursts.

“I just have to take a little pain,” Frazier said. “It’s going to hurt a little bit. I’m ready for that. I’ve been playing through pain all my career, so a few more games won’t hurt.”

Frazier described how the injury happened for the first time. He was going for a rebound in practice and his hand came down hard on the leg of Dominique Keller.

Now, Frazier is doing all he can to get himself back on the court. He has convinced his teammates that he’s serious about playing, even if the likelihood appears minimal. He said he hasn’t undergone any kind of treatment in recent days, keeping the hand wrapped.

His work has been helping doctors come up with a device that he can wear if he plays.

“We’ll come up with something to keep it protected and keep me mobile,” he said. “I’m doing a little research myself.”