CBB Injuries — Sparty loses Dawson for 4-5 weeks
Published on Friday, 1/24/14, at 11:44 a.m. Eastern.
By Brian Edwards
Can you really blame Michigan St. junior Branden Dawson? When I’m forced to listen to ESPN analyst Dan Dakich talk (about anything!), I want to pull my hair out. Dakich is the Mark May of college basketball. I disagree with everything that comes out of his mouth and his delivery is the equivalent of fingernails screeching across the chalkboard. During a Thursday film session for the Spartans, Dakich was commenting on a mistake by Dawson, prompting him to slam his hand against a table. The result is a broken bone in his right (shooting) hand that will cause him to miss the next 4-5 weeks. Dawson averages 10.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He also has 22 steals and 17 blocked shots. Senior center Adreian Payne (16.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG) has missed four straight games with a foot injury, and he is ‘doubtful’ Saturday vs. Michigan.
Minnesota’s leading scorer Andre Hollins (16.2 PPG) suffered a sprained ankle in the opening minutes of this week’s home win over Wisconsin. The results of an MRI were negative and it was reported Friday that Hollins might play Sunday at Nebraska. However, Gophers beat writer Emelia Rayno of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Saturday that Hollins is out against the Cornhuskers and might not be ready for the following game.
Alabama played without its second-leading scorer in last night’s 68-62 home loss to Florida. Retin Obasohan is dealing with a hip injury and is ‘questionable’ for Saturday’s home game vs. LSU. Obasohan is averaging 12.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
After missing six straight games with a broken hand, Gonzaga guard Gary Bell Jr. returned to the lineup in Thursday’s non-covering win over San Diego. Bell logged 22 minutes of playing time, scoring five points to go with one steal and one assist. He made 2-of-6 shots from the field. Gerard Coleman (7.5 PPG) was limited to four minutes against the Toreros due to flu-like symptoms. Coleman is a question mark for Saturday’s home game vs. BYU.
Harvard saw any slim hopes of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament go up in flames in Tuesday’s 68-53 loss at Florida Atlantic. On the bright side, leading scorer Wesley Saunders (15.4 PPG) returned after missing back-to-back games with a knee injury. Saunders scored 11 points to go with two rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocked shots in 34 minutes of playing time. Junior center Kenyatta Smith remains out with a foot injury. Smith hasn’t played yet this year.
DePaul could be down a pair of contributors Saturday at Seton Hall. Tommy Hamilton (9.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG) is ‘questionable’ with a chest injury, while Charles McKinney is ‘doubtful’ with a sprained ankle. McKinney averages 4.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
UConn played without starting guard Ryan Boatright in a blowout win over Temple earlier this week. Boatright has been in Chicago with his family following the tragic death of his cousin. He is expected to play Saturday at Rutgers. Boatright averages 12.3 points, 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Louisville has been without its starting point guard Chris Jones for the last three games. The Cardinals are off this weekend before hosting Cincinnati on Thursday in a crucial AAC showdown. Jones, who averages 11.3 points, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals, remains a question mark due to an oblique injury.
Northwestern starting point guard Dave Sobolewski has missed four straight game since sustaining a concussion. Sobolewski remains ‘doubtful’ for Saturday’s home game vs. Iowa. Sobolewski averages 6.7 points and 3.2 assists per game.
Syracuse reserve forward DaJuan Coleman is out for the rest of the season due to a leg injury that will require surgery. Coleman, who hasn’t played since Jan. 7, was averaging 4.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.
Utah St. played without Kyle Davis (knee) in Wednesday’s 62-42 loss at UNLV. Davis, who averages 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, is ‘questionable’ for Saturday’s home game vs. San Diego St.
Florida’s leading scorer Casey Prather has looked 100 percent in road wins at Auburn and at Alabama. Prather had missed back-to-back games due to knee swelling before returning to score 16 of his team-high 21 points in the first half of last Saturday’s win on The Plains. The Gators continue to play the waiting game with the NCAA Clearinghouse on the eligibility of freshman big man Chris Walker.
James Madison isn’t expecting to have its leading scorer Charles Cooke for Saturday’s home game vs. College of Charleston. Cooke (15.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG) has a sprained ankle and is considered ‘doubtful.’
La. Tech cruised to an 80-60 home win over Charlotte on Thursday. The Bulldogs have been without leading scorer Raheem Appleby (16.1 PPG) for several games and aren’t expecting him back until March due to a leg injury. La. Tech will host Marshall on Saturday but could be minus Michael Kyser due to a disciplinary issue. Kyser averages 6.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Northeastern’s Reggie Spencer had played in 83 consecutive games before missing Wednesday’s 57-54 win at Towson with an undisclosed injury. Spencer (9.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG) is ‘questionable’ Saturday at Hofstra.
East Carolina lost at home Thursday to Tulane. In last week’s setback at Florida International, Brandan Stith left in the first half after suffering a concussion. Stith, who averages 6.2 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds per contest, didn’t play against the Green Wave and is a question mark for Saturday’s home game against So. Miss.
Appalachian St. will be without Jay Canty for the next 4-6 weeks after he underwent surgery on his hand earlier this week. Canty is averaging 17.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
