(07-09-2021 09:04 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  We could have signed the big 6-9 kid from Italy or England??? who eventually went to some low DI school, but no, we needed another guard. Of course Coach knew Edu was going to be just fine.

He could have gone through these threads and saw no one here thought Edu was going to be just fine. Writing was on the wall. He could use a little of our cynicism.

Still wishing Edu the best of luck returning to the game. Moreso than college at this point, I know a pro career means a lot. Hope he can find that physical guru that can figure out if it's a permanent physical characteristic holding him back or an issue of fixable mechanics.

Gotta figure TK will be trying to free up a roster spot and stay away from the possibility of a 4th injury.

(07-09-2021 11:57 PM)UTfanBGalum Wrote:  Gotta figure TK will be trying to free up a roster spot and stay away from the possibility of a 4th injury.

first of all, terrible news for AJ and the team. He knows a lot about overcoming and is getting a lot of schooling done, so it's not a hopeless thing. All the best with his recovery. He came back fast from an ACL before, but they held him out for caution, which hasn't trumped bad luck.

not likely to replace him with a new player. all of our scholarships are accounted for. Teams often push out a guy or two at the end of the bench after the season. But doing that in July is unfair and would be surprising for a staff known for being thoughtful and ethical. You don't get an extra scholarship when a guy gets hurt.

anyways, we played small and fast last year and this year's team has a great small ball lineup with some good new players, mostly in the 6-4 to 6-7 range. they should win a lot of games. perhaps, AJ comes back during the MAC season and gives us a boost down the stretch. Either way it is Rian Rollins team and now that the unfortunate issue of AJ Edu's health has been resolved we can get back to the likelihood that the team will go as far as rian rollins improves. guys usually make their biggest improvement between freshman and sophmore year. and rollins was really good as a freshman. Dennis is a great counterpart because he can flex between being a pass first ballhandler, which he mostly was at boise to a scorer which he showed he could be on occasion too. playing for the rockets gives him the flexibility to play with a versatile combo guard in rollins and they can adjust their styles to complement each other.

if the rockets go small, and there is no serious other option unless the Romanian shows up as the 4th best player on the team, they will outscore most people. we lose the ability to guard the post. not a small problem, although not everyone you play has true big guys who are good enough to make you pay for going small. this probably means moss has a bigger role, as his strength, leaping ability, and physical style allow him to chip in as big. it means milner will continue to play more as a 4 man and both jacobi and the icelander will get a chance to play if they can guard forwards.

(07-10-2021 04:17 AM)pono Wrote:  

(07-09-2021 11:57 PM)UTfanBGalum Wrote:  Gotta figure TK will be trying to free up a roster spot and stay away from the possibility of a 4th injury.

first of all, terrible news for AJ and the team. He knows a lot about overcoming and is getting a lot of schooling done, so it's not a hopeless thing. All the best with his recovery. He came back fast from an ACL before, but they held him out for caution, which hasn't trumped bad luck.

not likely to replace him with a new player. all of our scholarships are accounted for. Teams often push out a guy or two at the end of the bench after the season. But doing that in July is unfair and would be surprising for a staff known for being thoughtful and ethical. You don't get an extra scholarship when a guy gets hurt.

anyways, we played small and fast last year and this year's team has a great small ball lineup with some good new players, mostly in the 6-4 to 6-7 range. they should win a lot of games. perhaps, AJ comes back during the MAC season and gives us a boost down the stretch. Either way it is Rian Rollins team and now that the unfortunate issue of AJ Edu's health has been resolved we can get back to the likelihood that the team will go as far as rian rollins improves. guys usually make their biggest improvement between freshman and sophmore year. and rollins was really good as a freshman. Dennis is a great counterpart because he can flex between being a pass first ballhandler, which he mostly was at boise to a scorer which he showed he could be on occasion too. playing for the rockets gives him the flexibility to play with a versatile combo guard in rollins and they can adjust their styles to complement each other.

if the rockets go small, and there is no serious other option unless the Romanian shows up as the 4th best player on the team, they will outscore most people. we lose the ability to guard the post. not a small problem, although not everyone you play has true big guys who are good enough to make you pay for going small. this probably means moss has a bigger role, as his strength, leaping ability, and physical style allow him to chip in as big. it means milner will continue to play more as a 4 man and both jacobi and the icelander will get a chance to play if they can guard forwards.

'IF' ... Edu is tagged as medically unable to play ... and/or ...'IF' the Rockets have an extra scholarship (which this year is possible via NCAA rule) then the one area, nationally, that has not been picked over as much as the portal is the juco route. I would think there might be either a project of interest, or a burly undersized post out there capable of giving minutes.

On another note, don't know why Komagnum (?) left ... if it was his decision or TK's ... but an off-season of development along with his experience in the system would have made this situation more bearable.

Hind site I know, but still ... sometimes the focus is so much on getting 5-6 studs and their improvement, that little attention is paid to the 10-15 minute guy, his development and his importance, especially in the post. In the end, those guys are the hardest to find, and the hardest to replace.

(07-10-2021 09:05 AM)cleveland Wrote:  

(07-10-2021 04:17 AM)pono Wrote:  

(07-09-2021 11:57 PM)UTfanBGalum Wrote:  Gotta figure TK will be trying to free up a roster spot and stay away from the possibility of a 4th injury.

first of all, terrible news for AJ and the team. He knows a lot about overcoming and is getting a lot of schooling done, so it's not a hopeless thing. All the best with his recovery. He came back fast from an ACL before, but they held him out for caution, which hasn't trumped bad luck.

not likely to replace him with a new player. all of our scholarships are accounted for. Teams often push out a guy or two at the end of the bench after the season. But doing that in July is unfair and would be surprising for a staff known for being thoughtful and ethical. You don't get an extra scholarship when a guy gets hurt.

anyways, we played small and fast last year and this year's team has a great small ball lineup with some good new players, mostly in the 6-4 to 6-7 range. they should win a lot of games. perhaps, AJ comes back during the MAC season and gives us a boost down the stretch. Either way it is Rian Rollins team and now that the unfortunate issue of AJ Edu's health has been resolved we can get back to the likelihood that the team will go as far as rian rollins improves. guys usually make their biggest improvement between freshman and sophmore year. and rollins was really good as a freshman. Dennis is a great counterpart because he can flex between being a pass first ballhandler, which he mostly was at boise to a scorer which he showed he could be on occasion too. playing for the rockets gives him the flexibility to play with a versatile combo guard in rollins and they can adjust their styles to complement each other.

if the rockets go small, and there is no serious other option unless the Romanian shows up as the 4th best player on the team, they will outscore most people. we lose the ability to guard the post. not a small problem, although not everyone you play has true big guys who are good enough to make you pay for going small. this probably means moss has a bigger role, as his strength, leaping ability, and physical style allow him to chip in as big. it means milner will continue to play more as a 4 man and both jacobi and the icelander will get a chance to play if they can guard forwards.

'IF' ... Edu is tagged as medically unable to play ... and/or ...'IF' the Rockets have an extra scholarship (which this year is possible via NCAA rule) then the one area, nationally, that has not been picked over as much as the portal is the juco route. I would think there might be either a project of interest, or a burly undersized post out there capable of giving minutes.

On another note, don't know why Komagnum (?) left ... if it was his decision or TK's ... but an off-season of development along with his experience in the system would have made this situation more bearable.

Hind site I know, but still ...

I don't think it's hind site. With Edu's history, there was a decent chance he would be injured. With only one freshman big man coming in, there was no preparation to deal with that eventuality. It was a colossal coaching fail.

For some perspective on this setback for Edu it is worthwhile reviewing this story by Kyle Rowland published back in May describing AJs efforts to get back out on the basketball court.

"Fenton, however, was encouraged by Edu’s spirit throughout the grinding process of returning to form. “His attitude and how he approached [rehab] was incredible,” Fenton said. “He probably had the most positive attitude of anybody. And believe me, you know he was down.”

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ut/20...0210513130

(07-10-2021 10:41 AM)Sleepy Wrote:  For some perspective on this setback for Edu it is worthwhile reviewing this story by Kyle Rowland published back in May describing AJs efforts to get back out on the basketball court.

"Fenton, however, was encouraged by Edu’s spirit throughout the grinding process of returning to form. “His attitude and how he approached [rehab] was incredible,” Fenton said. “He probably had the most positive attitude of anybody. And believe me, you know he was down.”

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ut/20...0210513130

Thanks Sleepy, I was thinking of posting that story too. It notes that he will grad mid-year a little early and start his MBA at UT. If he doesn't play this year, gets a medical RS, and returns to finish his eligibility, he could conceivably be a Toledo student for 7 years and be working on a PHD, JD or second MA by his final year.

Edu is a fine person on what I have heard. Whatever he will do going forward he will be outstanding, perhaps other than playing basketball.

On the Channel 11 newscast tonight Coach K said they expect to have Edu back later in the season.

(07-15-2021 05:26 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  On the Channel 11 newscast tonight Coach K said they expect to have Edu back later in the season.

Whoa.... that seems to be “wishing on a star” type thinking. Thanks for that update. It must be a very fine tear. Team doctors and others must think it’s doable. That’s almost shocking to me. Edu MUST really want to play and had the final vote. I wonder if he over-ruled anyone and if UT’s doctors would even allow that to happen. Any input in that area???

It would be great to have him but was he ever destined to play more than 20 minutes per game this year?

(07-15-2021 07:35 PM)IamN2daRockets! Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 05:26 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  On the Channel 11 newscast tonight Coach K said they expect to have Edu back later in the season.

Whoa.... that seems to be “wishing on a star” type thinking. Thanks for that update. It must be a very fine tear. Team doctors and others must think it’s doable. That’s almost shocking to me. Edu MUST really want to play and had the final vote. I wonder if he over-ruled anyone and if UT’s doctors would even allow that to happen. Any input in that area???

It would be great to have him but was he ever destined to play more than 20 minutes per game this year?

He was destined to play 30-32 minutes a game. Heʻs the defensive anchor and primary offensive screener. His right knee problems were fully healed. No one was expecting his left knee to be the problem. However, I do agree with you that having him back is wishful. Itʻs rare to see an athlete return earlier than 8 months from an ACL. 8 months for Aj would be the beginning of March. So, possible, but feels awkward. I guess what he has going for him is a knowledge of how to recover from knee injuries and a specific history of a more serious knee blowout over the summer after his freshman year where he was cleared to play with a couple weeks left in the season but the staff held him out. Thereʻs also the reality he may be more willing to chance a quick return considering all his knee problems mean his basketball future is questionable. So, if you got a chance to be on the court in the final weeks of a season with a conference championship up for grabs and a chance to play March college basketball, maybe you damn the risks at this point and just go for it. I donʻt have any real educated input. Donʻt know if it was a partial or small tear, or all the way across. At least he didnʻt also tear other stuff in his knee at the same time, which lengthened the recovery timeline with his first injury.

Just to verify.. this injury is to his opposite knee which has never been injured before?????

If it is then this is minor good news.

(07-16-2021 06:14 AM)IamN2daRockets! Wrote:  Just to verify.. this injury is to his opposite knee which has never been injured before?????

If it is then this is minor good news.

Both knees have previous injuries. Minor good news? Maybe, maybe not. A return this season in Feb or March seems possible but risky.

(07-16-2021 12:39 AM)pono Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 07:35 PM)IamN2daRockets! Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 05:26 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  On the Channel 11 newscast tonight Coach K said they expect to have Edu back later in the season.

Whoa.... that seems to be “wishing on a star” type thinking. Thanks for that update. It must be a very fine tear. Team doctors and others must think it’s doable. That’s almost shocking to me. Edu MUST really want to play and had the final vote. I wonder if he over-ruled anyone and if UT’s doctors would even allow that to happen. Any input in that area???

It would be great to have him but was he ever destined to play more than 20 minutes per game this year?

He was destined to play 30-32 minutes a game. Heʻs the defensive anchor and primary offensive screener. His right knee problems were fully healed. No one was expecting his left knee to be the problem. However, I do agree with you that having him back is wishful. Itʻs rare to see an athlete return earlier than 8 months from an ACL. 8 months for Aj would be the beginning of March. So, possible, but feels awkward. I guess what he has going for him is a knowledge of how to recover from knee injuries and a specific history of a more serious knee blowout over the summer after his freshman year where he was cleared to play with a couple weeks left in the season but the staff held him out. Thereʻs also the reality he may be more willing to chance a quick return considering all his knee problems mean his basketball future is questionable. So, if you got a chance to be on the court in the final weeks of a season with a conference championship up for grabs and a chance to play March college basketball, maybe you damn the risks at this point and just go for it. I donʻt have any real educated input. Donʻt know if it was a partial or small tear, or all the way across. At least he didnʻt also tear other stuff in his knee at the same time, which lengthened the recovery timeline with his first injury.

I have no clue what the particulars are/were but know the Pippen kid at Kent State had multiple injuries and surgeries to both knees and proved to be a productive player as a Jr. and Sr. ... actually could have returned for the coming season but I believe is headed overseas.

Whatever silver lining that might be.

both his previous injuries were to the right knee. this is his first left knee injury, I believe.

GOD SPEED

(07-08-2021 11:14 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  If we didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all.

Born under a bad sign?

(07-15-2021 05:26 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  On the Channel 11 newscast tonight Coach K said they expect to have Edu back later in the season.

Playing in only 2 games since the end of his Freshman season in 2019, you got to wonder how effective Edu will be if he is able to come back in February or March, 2022. That is basically 3 full season without any "live game action" where the real bullets are flying!

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/3195...trade-deal

While rehabbing a torn ACL spencer dinwiddle just got this contract. after coming back from an ACL tear of his other knee five years earlier. think how good mark german would have been for the rockets if he had 2021 ACL surgery and rehab on that knee with the huge brace.