I think this second injury was actually a different one than the first. Not to say that they aren't somehow related, but it's not like he rushed back and re-injured the exact same muscle/bone.

(02-26-2016 10:22 AM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  Does anyone else wonder if Shaq was rushed back too soon? He was in a couple games where he could barely run and now this ankle injury is still lingering dangerously close to tournament time.

Pretty sure Shaq's latest injury is in the groin area. Not the ankle.

This is the sort of game you rest injured players. I thought Mick should have rested Shaq at home against USF. Plus, 2 injured players is a built in excuse for Mick, if the game is close and/or we lose.

Bearcats: Status of Farad Cobb, Shaq Thomas uncertain
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 3:54 p.m. EST February 27, 2016


GREENVILLE, N.C. – The University of Cincinnati beat East Carolina 65-56 here Saturday without injured regulars Farad Cobb and Shaq Thomas, whose status remains uncertain entering next week.

UC (21-8, 11-5 American Athletic Conference) next plays at Houston (20-8, 10-6 AAC) on Thursday at 9 p.m.

Senior guard Cobb (sprained knee) and senior forward Thomas (groin) usually start, but both watched Saturday from the bench. Cobb averages 10.8 points, Thomas 6.4 points.

“It’s up to Farad when he plays,” UC coach Mick Cronin said. “Structurally he’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with him, but he’s got a sprain. He’s got a sprain, he said he’s too sore, so we’ve got to do whatever he says.

“Shaq, he’s got the groin. That’s probably the bigger concern, because a groin is tough to deal with when you jump around the way Shaq jumps around. He thought he was fine, he came back and practiced on Wednesday, he’s running around. Thinking, oh, he’s fine.

“Then about 10 minutes in, he’s rolling on the ground. He just aggravated it. I feel bad for him, obviously his senior year.”

ANOTHER BIG ONE: Cronin tries to avoid talk of every game being big, which they are as the Bearcats attempt to reach their sixth straight NCAA Tournament. Cronin was asked about it again Saturday.

“Obviously as you get later, it becomes pretty pointed,” Cronin said. “We don’t talk about all that stuff. We try to get better. It’s not about me. I love our fans, and it’s not about our fans. For me, it’s about the guys in our locker room.

“That’s what I focus on. Because if that happens, wins will come. Because we’re going to play hard. We’re going to play defense. With this team, effort hasn’t been our issue. It’s execution at times, getting that ball in the basket.”

Cronin said the perceived lack of a consistent, major UC scoring threat is just that. A perception.

“People say, ‘Who’s your go-to guy?’ I don’t need a go-to guy,” Cronin said. “I need made lay-ups. You watch us again today, we had five missed lay-ups, minimum, from our big guys. They’re better players than that. I appreciate all their effort on defense, but I need them to be selfish more. Get that ball in the basket when they’re three feet and in.”

LEAGUE RACE: UC on Saturday moved into a third-place tie with Tulsa in the AAC race. Each team will play 18 league games.

The updated standings:

Temple 12-4, SMU 11-4, Cincinnati 11-5, Tulsa 11-5, UConn 10-5, Houston 10-6, Memphis 6-9, UCF 5-11, USF 4-12, Tulane 3-12, East Carolina 3-13.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../81039852/

Only a sprain for Farad. He should be able to play as soon as the pain from the injury does not affect his shot. I wouldn't play him before that, however.

the next hoosiers! capital!