Wake Forest is missing their best player as guard C.J. Harris is out with a groin injury. Harris ranks second in the ACC in scoring at 18.7 points per game. “We are sideways offensively,” said Demon Deacons head coach Jeff Bzdelik. Even opposing head coaches are sympathizing over the absence of Harris. After Wake Forest lost at home 56-52 to Wofford, their head coach Mike Young said: “To play without Harris is unconsciousable.”
BIG 10
Nebraska has been playing without two of their better players as Jorge Brian Diaz and Dylan Talley have both missed the last five games. And there’s a possibility that neither player will return to the court this season according to Cornhuskers head coach Doc Sadler. “Yeah, I’d say there’s a possibility,” Sadler said. “The thing is, they’ve missed three weeks of practice, even if they do come back. You can’t do anything about it. I would love to be able to get both of them back.”
BIG 12
Missouri is becoming a seriously thin team. The Tigers already lost Laurence Bowers to a season-ending knee injury, and now they lost Kadeem Green to transfer. With Green leaving, Missouri will be left with just 7 scholarship players on their roster. Missouri is also a very small team now as well as they only have two guys taller than 6-foot-6. “We obviously wish Kadeem nothing but the best as he moves forward with this decision,” Missouri coach Frank Haith said. “Kadeem made great strides during his time at Mizzou, and we are sad to see him leave the program.”
BIG EAST
Syracuse is undefeated at 15-0 and ranked #1 in the country, but the Orange isn’t resting on what they’ve already accomplished. They are still working hard, and know they have some areas on which to improve on. “We haven’t scratched the surface of our potential,” senior Kris Joseph said. “There is still a lot we can improve on. We can sharpen our offense in the half court. Defensively, we can be a lot better. We can cut back on turnovers.” Quotes like that are rare, especially from an undefeated college basketball team. Syracuse can be scary good if they get better than they already are.
PAC 12
Utah has had a miserable season, and now injuries are stating to pile up. Junior guard Chris Hines is out with a broken thumb. Cedric Martin is dealing with a foot injury, and he is doubtful for upcoming games. Still missing is senior center David Foster who underwent foot surgery. Freshman Alex Mortensen suffered a concussion in practice this week and is unavailable. “It’s hard,” head coach Larry Krystkowiak said of the mounting injuries. “We’re getting into our walk-ons. I’d like to believe it can’t get any worse than it is right now, but you never know. I’ve got a migraine and a sore knee.”
SEC
Alabama has been playing without a couple of key pieces lately. Leading scorer JaMychal Green remains “day-to-day” with a shoulder injury that made him miss the last two games. But the Crimson Tide will get back some guys as junior center Moussa Gueye is recovered from his torn ACL and Andrew Steele will return after serious bouts with concussions. “This time of year, especially heading into your last non-conference game, you’ve sort of hit your rhythm and are figuring things out but we’re adding pieces,” head coach Anthony Grant said. “It’s a unique situation, but I’m excited about getting those guys added to our group.”
Steve Merril’s FREE NCAAB winners and articles can be found right here at www.aasiwins.com.
