Injury Report – Self decides to rest KU’s Embiid vs. TCU
Published on Friday, 2/14/14, at 7:49 p.m. Eastern.
Updated on Saturday, 2/15/14, at 2:11 a.m. Eastern.
By Brian Edwards
Kansas freshman center Joel Embiid is ‘out’ for Saturday’s home game vs. TCU. Bill Self clearly indicated after Monday’s loss at Kansas St. that Embiid needed some rest before the stretch drive. Embiid has been bothered by a sprained knee and an ailing back, and his presence certainly isn’t required against the Horned Frogs. He could miss more than one game. Embiid averages 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game. Also, the status of Jamari Taylor is in question after Self benched him at KSU due to an off-the-court issue. Taylor averages 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Michigan St. senior center Adreian Payne is back and he’s 100 percent healthy (and lethal) after missing seven games. Payne led the Spartans to Thursday’s 85-70 home win over Northwestern by scoring 20 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Payne scored 24 points in last Sunday’s loss at Wisconsin. Tom Izzo is happy to have Payne back, but he’s now without starting guard Keith Appling, who has a wrist injury that has forced him to miss the first three games of his career. Appling averages 15.0 points and 4.9 assists per game. He continues to get treatment but is probably at least a week away from returning. Branden Dawson remains out (hand) and won’t be back for at least two more weeks.
Texas forward Jonathan Holmes (13.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG) is a question mark for Saturday’s home game versus West Virginia. Holmes injured his knee in last Saturday’s loss at Kansas St. and did not play in a win over Oklahoma St. earlier this week.
UMass stud point guard Chaz Williams has been upgraded to ‘probable’ for Saturday’s game against George Washington. He had missed some practice time with a sore hip. Williams is the catalyst for the Minutemen, averaging 15.7 points and 7.3 assists per game.
Louisville forward Wayne Blackshear (9.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG) missed a Feb. 5 win at Houston after suffering a concussion at practice. He returned to the court in Friday’s blowout win at Temple, scoring 13 points in 24 minutes of playing time.
Texas A&M freshman guard Davonte Fitzgerald is out for the rest of the season after injuring his knee in the first half of Wednesday’s home win over LSU. Fitzgerald had scored 11 points and knocked down 3-of-4 from 3-point range before the injury. He was averaging 9.0 points per game in SEC games.
Colorado’s Wesley Gordon (6.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG) is ‘questionable’ for Sunday’s game against USC due to an ankle injury.
UConn’s Omar Calhoun (5.5 PPG) is a question mark for Saturday’s home game vs. Memphis after suffering a concussion.
Memphis reserve big Dominic Woodson has been suspended indefinitely by Josh Pastner for using inappropriate language in Wednesday’s win over UCF.
Notre Dame guard Demetrius Jackson (6.1 PPG) missed this week’s double-overtime win over Clemson due to an academic issue. Jackson is considered ‘doubtful’ for Sunday’s game against Boston College.
Two Seton Hall starters, center Eugene Teague and forward Brian Olive, were suspended for Thursday’s one-point home loss to St. John’s. The Pirates, who have lost three in a row and four of their last five, don’t play again until Thursday at home vs. Georgetown. Going off of the post-game quotes from Kevin Willard, I think the suspensions were just a one-game deal. Willard indicated that Olive and Teague needed to work on their attitudes.
Ga. Tech starting point guard and leading scorer Trae Golden (13.4 PPG, 3.2 APG) couldn’t go in Thursday’s home win over Boston College. Golden has been bothered by a groin injury since a Feb. 1 win at Wake Forest. The Tennessee transfer missed one game after the win over Wake, but he returned and played 18 minutes in a Feb. 8 home loss to Virginia. Bettors should check his status leading into Tuesday’s home game vs. Duke.
Drexel’s Kazembe Abif has a broken hand and will miss the remainder of the season. Abif was averging 7.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest.
Wisconsin Green Bay has suspended Vincent Garrett (6.5 PPG) for the next three games due to a violation of team policy. Garrett will return against Oakland on Feb. 27.
Marshall’s TyQuane Goard is ‘questionable’ Saturday against Charlotte due to a shoulder injury. Goard averages 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.
Arkansas Little Rock has three key players listed as ‘questionable’ with injuries for Saturday’s game at ULM. The trio includes its best player Will Neighbour, who averages a team-high 16.7 PPG.
