AT Update?

[panthertrax]

I heard Nick Hansen injured his neck at practice diving for a loose ball. Had to leave practice to go to the hospital for xrays and is wearing a neck brace. He too is questionalble for the game tomorrow.

[Hack]

Tigert's status up in the air

www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=401609

From the story:

As for Tigert, he was unavailable for comment after practice Tuesday, but just seeing him back in uniform, shooting free throws and stretching with the team was a promising sign.

Tigert, who averages 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, injured his lower back Saturday at Cleveland State after crashing to the ground trying to stop a Vikings fast-break play in the second half of the 86-57 victory.

UWM assistant athletic trainer Dave Beine said Tigert's back had improved dramatically overall. In terms of being prepared for full-contact basketball, though, he was still questionable.

"Walking around campus is one thing, going up against guys with size and with contact (is another)," Beine said. "It's not even so much contact as it is with the ability to explode and then recover with guys at the same speed or faster than him.

"We'll have to test that out tomorrow. We tested it out today. It was OK, but we're also going to try to keep an eye on the big picture."

[Hack]

From the same story:

Massiah out

Junior forward Kevin Massiah, a key reserve, is out for the game tonight and might not return until the conference tournament, Beine said. He left the Cleveland State game in the first half with a strained right calf muscle. Massiah averages 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.

[JimmyLemke]

That 2.5 ppg and 1.5 rpg don't do Massiah justice. He really is a spark off the bench, and keeps a solid defense in order to get Joah rest. I hope he makes it back 100% before we really need him. I'm still amazed at how long we went before a major injury.

[TBone]

I think you guys underestimate what AT brings to the team if you think he can not play in a game and we'll still roll over even a down UIC. Besides his scoring and rebounding he's really a key passer on the team, and I don't see any way we can replace all of that and still expect to easily beat any team in the Horizon.

T

[Pantherholic]

tbone said:

I think you guys underestimate what AT brings to the team if you think he can not play in a game and we'll still roll over even a down UIC. Besides his scoring and rebounding he's really a key passer on the team, and I don't see any way we can replace all of that and still expect to easily beat any team in the Horizon.

T

he also has better ball-handling skills than either McCoy/Ford IMO.

[jhart05]

I would think AT being out would force Joah to be on the inside even more. Which in my eyes would not be a bad thing.

Hell, he may end up dropping 30 on UIC. I haven't seen anyone yet in conference that has been able to guard him.

[BBFran]

I would be very worried about this game if Adrian doesn't play. UIC has some size and strength down low. I'm sure we'll see a lot of Big D tonight, but I worry that he's foul prone.

[milwsport]

I think Big D will step up. You may have noticed that he was the first player to AT's side when he got hurt. I'm sure he will be feeling a special obligation to do a great job in AT's place if it comes to that.

[coacheinerson]

Rumor around the K.C. this morning was that A.T. was definetely out tonight.

He looked normal and upbeat, maybe it's just a precaution.

[mikeb]

this scares me a little. i hope hes 100% for saturday but i think tonight will be tough without him

[jhart05]

Just means that Joah has to step up more than ever tonight and be the dominate player we all have seen him be.

Ford and the bench just have to not loose us the game.

Boo will have to be "on" tonight as well. I'm sure he will.

Hill will be his normal steady self. Not worried about him.

[PANTHERfan]

well, this hurts if it's true. IMHO he's the team MVP. he's so key to our success with what he does in terms of scoring, rebounding, and passing. we just have to hope they can make up for his absense by committee cause there's not a single guy on that roster that can simply come in and take his place. Big D will have to have some hands tonight, Nick Hansen may see significant minutes, Bendall could see time... what sucks is the combo of missing both AT and Massiah.

they've played very well as a team the last two games. hopefully that continues tonight. and let's hope AT gets healthy quick.

[JimmyLemke]

It's a given that Adrian is a better ball handler than Ford and McCoy. Ford really stepped up against Detroit, it's possible he'll do the same tonight.

Very interesting point that with AT out, Joah will be down underneath more. I hope that turns out to be the truth, because Joah is, as has been brought up, extremely effective in the paint.

I don't think we'll be scoring as much in the paint, and the inside-outside game will hurt a little bit. Look for more defenders committing to Boo Davis, as I'm sure Boo will try and unload many 3's.

However good AT is, which is the team MVP in most people's opinion, I believe we can still put a whooping on the Flamers. Also, Joah is still a candidate for league Player of the Year, and he can go a long way in making his case tonight without Adrian there.

[Womack]

I am sick to my stomach to see we lost to UIC...Absolutley sick