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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Fractured foot sidelines Kansas guard Collins

By Gary Bedore

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Gary Bedore's video blog on Sherron Collins' stress fracture

Journal-World KU men's basketball beat writer Gary Bedore sits down and fields some questions from J-W sports editor Tom Keegan to give some insight on sophomore guard Sherron Collins' left foot stress fracture. Bedore discusses how long he could be out, when Brandon Rush could return in light of this and who are the ones needing to pick up the slack in Collins' absence.

Hawks' win comes at expensive price

This afternoon KU's leading scorer Sherron Collins underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot after turning his ankle in last night's game.

Robinson soars with outside shooting

With the absence of Sherron Collins, senior Russell Robinson is even more vital for the Jayhawks' success.

photo

Photo by Thad Allender

Kansas guard Sherron Collins grabs his ankle after hitting the deck. Collins returned to the game after the injury Sunday, but had surgery Monday to repair a pre-existing stress fracture.

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Who do you expect to be the most productive replacement for injured guard Sherron Collins?

  • Rodrick Stewart 35% 314 votes
  • Tyrel Reed 36% 320 votes
  • Jeremy Case 6% 53 votes
  • Conner Teahan 0% 6 votes
  • Brandon Rush 20% 180 votes

873 total votes.

Kansas University's men's basketball team will be without sophomore point guard Sherron Collins the next six weeks.

Collins, who sprained his left ankle in the second half of Sunday's 85-62 victory over UMKC, had surgery Monday to repair a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot.

The surgery - which included inserting a screw in the foot -went well, coach Bill Self reported, and Collins should be ready "by the start of the New Year."

Following the approximate six-week timeline, Collins figures to miss at least the next 11 games (including marquee matchups against Arizona, Southern Cal, DePaul and Georgia Tech), with the possibility of returning for the final two nonconference games against Boston College on Jan. 5 and Loyola-Maryland on Jan. 8.

"Sherron will be missed. He worked so hard to get his weight down, worked so hard on his conditioning. He's just North of 200 pounds," Self said of the 5-foot-11 Chicagoan who reported to school his freshman year at 227 pounds. "He was off to a good start, in great shape. He'll have to remain very, very disciplined, eat right and hopefully he'll be back in that time frame."

Self said the stress fracture was revealed in an X-ray taken not so much because of the ankle sprain, but because of pain Collins felt on the top of his foot. It was an existing stress fracture, already in place before the sprain.

"The thing is, he's had no (stress fracture) symptoms," Self said, noting Collins' foot was "tender to the touch," when evaluated after the UMKC game. "The ankle sprain probably aggravated the stress fracture to the point it (surgery) had to be done.

"There was no doubt he had a stress fracture before the ankle turn. We have no idea when the original injury happened. He could take time off and let it heal on its own, but there's a better chance it wouldn't heal on its own. It eventually was going to become a big problem for him.

"It may be a blessing we caught it when we did. He could have done it in late December or January."

Instead, Collins - who will stay off the foot a couple weeks - figures to be back for Big 12 action.

"He will have a big year," Self said of KU's leading scorer through two games with a 16.0 average. "It's a setback for him and us, (but) he'll be ready to roll by conference. We are disappointed and everything, but not to the point we think anything is lost. This will give other guys an opportunity for important minutes."

Self said he envisioned senior Rodrick Stewart moving into the starting lineup - "I haven't thought about it; I can't imagine it being anyone else" - at least until Brandon Rush returns.

Rush, who has been practicing with contact, figures to return soon from June 1 ACL surgery. Likely not Thursday against Washburn, however.

"He's close to coming back. He's practicing," Self said. "Brandon will not come back sooner because of this. We'll continue to go by what the medical staff says."

This also could mean additional playing time for senior Jeremy Case and freshmen Tyrel Reed and Conner Teahan.

"Hopefully we will get Brandon back in a short period of time," Self said. "Even with that said, it will take Brandon a while before he is Brandon. He's been out a long time. His timing is off. We'll just operate shorthanded.

"This forces me to play other guys and that will help our depth for conference. If I'm looking for a positive spin, that would be it."

Collins' surgery was performed in Lawrence. KU's policy is to not release the name of the doctor or the exact location of the surgery.

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Just a coincidence: Playing UMKC has been bad luck of sorts for KU. Wayne Simien jammed his hand on the rim trying to block a Michael Watson layup and dislocated his shoulder in a game against the Kangaroos on Jan. 4, 2003, in Kemper Arena. Collins also was injured against the 'Roos on a play in which there was no contact. He rolled his ankle driving the left baseline attempting a pass to Sasha Kaun, who was charging down the lane.

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Julian had fracture, too: Self said Collins' injury was similar to the stress fracture ex-Jayhawk Julian Wright had repaired July 28 before his freshman season at KU. Wright was ready for Boot Camp conditioning in late September.

"It's the same place (in foot) where Julian did his," Self said. "He came back fine."

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Left leg woes: Collins has had problems with his left leg before. Remember, he was slowed by a case of patellar tendinitis in his left knee the last month of the 2006-07 basketball season. He rested it a month at season's end and was cleared for full contact workouts in early May.

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Early-season injuries: ESPN's Dick Vitale recently compiled a list of some of the early-season injuries hampering teams. Kansas State's David Hoskins is out indefinitely with a knee injury; Washington guard Ryan Appleby is out six weeks with a a broken thumb on his right hand; Iowa point guard Tony Freeman is out a month with a broken bone in his foot; Memphis' Joey Dorsey missed the first two games with a shoulder injury sustained in a scrimmage; Syracuse guard Josh Wright has been out with an ankle injury.

Of course, KU's Brandon Rush has yet to play coming off ACL surgery.

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Ticket plan: Hoping to sell out Saturday's football game against Iowa State, KU has a 4-4-4 ticket plan. Fans may purchase four tickets for the ISU game, four to any KU men's basketball game in November except the Arizona game and any KU women's hoops game in November for $199. KU associate AD Jim Marchiony said men's tickets became available because of tickets turned back by KU's foes, who receive an allotment. He indicated the fieldhouse was sold out this season. "We have returns from those schools on our schedule, so we have tickets available," he said.

Comments

  1. kujayhawkster (anonymous) says…

    Wayne Simien dislocated his shoulder while trying to dunk uncontested in a game against the Kangaroos on Jan. 4, 2003, in Kemper Arena.

    Wrong.

    He dislocated it trying to block a shot. He went up and his hand hit the rim. His body kept going and his arm stopped with the rim.

    ( | suggest removal )

  2. jaybate (anonymous) says…

    Rod at last gets his time in the sun. He could be tough to get out of the lineup if he starts hitting the trey.

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  3. jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says…

    Good call, kujayhawkster. I remember it well.

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  4. txrockchalk (anonymous) says…

    Get well soon, Sherron!

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  5. kltbadboyz (anonymous) says…

    Rod Reed and Case need to step up. Kaun needs to learn how to shoot free throws and the others need to finish the dunks. If Chalmers can't make the dunk, just lay it in, Rod doesnt seem to a good penetrater or dribbler and hasnt shown ability to hit the three but i hope he can work on that part of his game, i hope he steps up big time too while the playing time is there.

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  6. JNgohawks (anonymous) says…

    thank you kujayhawkster, I was going to write the same thing. He had his back to the goal on defence and misjudged where the rim was. I hated to see it. I hope Sherron can keep in shape, what a bummer.

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  7. mushhawk (anonymous) says…

    i'm tired of looking at that pic of collins on the front page.

    it's depressing.....put something else up there!

    we already know he fractured it! he'll be back in 6 wks...

    replact the pic..............old news!

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  9. JayCeph (anonymous) says…

    kujayhawkster, I was going to point that out too. I was at that game. It made me sick to watch the replays on the jumbotron... in slow motion. Yech! Seeing Wayne's arm ripple and convulse as it was stopped by the rim was very unsettling.

    As for the rest of the team, it would seem as though they are a completely different construct this season than last year... despite what has been written regarding the only big difference being Julian's absence. Since Julian has gone to the other side, Brandon's injury and now Sherron's untimely 'nik', this Jayhawk squad is decidedly different now.

    I'm a touch concerned about who will be able to fill all those shoes while trying to still do what they were brought in for. I can see Chalmers stepping up to spell Collins but at what cost? Would we still have the smooth Chalmers we have today or would his production suffer?

    Arthur was already beginning to move in the direction of upping his production to off-set Julian's absence but now, he has run out of runway and must take off if we're going to see some real progress. No more training wheels. The time to produce is now.

    Brandon's role has to be played by whom? Stewart? Can he defend as well as he needs to as well as put points on the board? Can the freshmen come in to pick up the pieces left by Chalmers and Robinson as they tend to other facets of the game that need their attentions?

    This is going to be a spooky 6 weeks. I hope this team can gell in a hurry.

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  10. KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says…

    Early chance to see what we've go in Tyrel Reed!

    And maybe Connor Teahan

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  11. 97jhawk (anonymous) says…

    Does Keegan have a neck?

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  12. 97jhawk (anonymous) says…

    Remember folks, we played 2 smaller guards and 3 "bigs" (over 6'2") last year and we were fine. If everyone recalls, Sherron came off the bench and replaced RR and MC.

    If Darrell steps up like he can, and will, and DJ keeps his game up, then having Collins on hiatus will only help down the stretch. Heck, we beat a good Kentucky team in Lexington w/o Simien (leading scorer and rebounder at the time) and we can do the same with the upcoming line up.

    Sure, Sherron will be missed, but don't forget KU has a deep bench. Tyrel is a shooter and Stewart's "D" will bring KU back to where it was a year ago. Besides, from what Coach Self says, we've got the purest shooter he's ever seen in Jeremy Case, right? Haha. Maybe if they played with the lights out he wouldn't be so intimidated and be able to carry what he does at practice to game time. Don't ge me wrong, if there is anyone on that bench I'd like to see explode it's senior Jeremy Case. I want proof of all the Co. B. Self hype on the guy.

    Besides, sounds like B-Rush is just around the corner. Yeah his timing might be a skoosh off, but he'll come out of the gates charging. He's ultra competitive and itching to play.

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  13. Mangino_Maniac (anonymous) says…

    Gary Bedore & Tom Keegan talking about a players weight issue... that's hilarious. Sorry, but those two are a joke.

    All the best to Sherron... I hope your recovery is a speedy & healthy one!

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  14. JayCeph (anonymous) says…

    With all due respect to the pot calling the kettle black, etc., neither Keegan nor Bedore were given a scholarship to play basketball for KU.

    Still, a funny paradox of sorts.

    Here's a gravy article about Mangino's 'magnitude' and his coaching ability from a San Antonio newspaper...
    http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/bi...

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  15. ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says…

    My medical guess is that since the bone obviously 'took one for the team', he probably felt OK in his actual ankle joint, and with the game adrenaline in full force, probably did feel OK to go back in. It becomes much clearer clinically as after the game when everyone is dealing with their soreness, Sherron I am guessing, was hobbling around, maybe unable to walk directly on the foot and now you know something indeed is worse than initially thought. A trainer initially on the sideline likely would have seen no swelling in the ankle and hear the player saying he CAN go back in, so he let him try it. He did not permanently damage himself by playing on it. The surgeons chose to fix the separated bone with a screw which will heal solid. This is a low-tech injury and the repair is simple and straightforward. Sherron will be fine, just itchin' like crazy (or like Brandon) to play...

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  16. dagger108 (anonymous) says…

    Has the article changed this morning?

    "Wayne Simien jammed his hand on the rim trying to block a Michael Watson layup and dislocated his shoulder in a game against the Kangaroos on Jan. 4, 2003, in Kemper Arena."

    Some of the writers come on line with a bit of gracious humility when they correct stories. I'm guessing since several of you wrote about that part of the article that it was changed from the original text.

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  18. dagger108 (anonymous) says…

    It will be good to get all the guys - Rod, Tyrel, Jeremy, and Conner, some additional playing time. All the better to be tested early, and good that the team is as deep as it is. New & old can prove themselves.

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  19. Lebowski (anonymous) says…

    LOL. Yeah, I was like, what are they talking about? I figured they probably had to save some face and fix it. I'm suprised they didn't get rid of the comments that called it out, too!

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  20. ku_fan25 (anonymous) says…

    yeah well rod willl become a big time player and be a big part of our success this season because of the injury he will show his talent and will be a key role player

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  21. BabyJay5953 (anonymous) says…

    This will be the perfect time to see if Stewart can really play and if Reed can step up to the plate. I really think we have a 4 year star with this kid.

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  22. KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…

    Gary Bedore is factually incorrect saying KU doesn't release the name of the doctor or facility where surgery takes place. They have done it in the past.

    What MUST happen is the athlete must allow the info to be releasesd. Unless SC signs a consent nothing can be stated.

    When Langford hurt his knee absolutely nothing was ever released what happened. Nothing. That was Keith's perogative.

    So, Bedore is not correct in how he states this.

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  23. bswen (anonymous) says…

    Am I wrong or did Sherron come back out and play after he took the fall in the second half? Wonder if that made things any worse than they already were...

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  24. ttoulouse (anonymous) says…

    can anyone say Ryan Robertson for Jacque Vaughn?? this can only help us with the future experience folks. Ryan stepped in as a freshman that fall and we went 10-0 and were ranked No. 1 when the keys were handed back to Vaughn. and that's how we had a seasoned back-up. also, these decisions are why Self gets the big bucks. sink or swim time Billy Boy!!

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  25. 100 (anonymous) says…

    It's football season. The KU basketballers will be just fine. These early games are important, in terms of chemistry -- however, the truth is -- much of what is needed early season (and we find this out every year in the NCAA tourney) is for the backups to get some quality playing time in crunch situations. That will only season us for the NCAA tournament. As for NCAA football, it is time to begin making plans for Saturday KU fans. If you don't have tickets to the game yet, there will be plenty of room on the hill. Wear BLUE!!! I repeat, wear blue!!! no red!!! As for the game, Iowa State is for real -- a truly good football team, with a deceiving record -- they've already shocked two of our big wins, Colorado and K-State. Let's keep in mind that Colorado and K-State beat Oklahoma and Texas (on the road by 21). Every ounce of our rooting energy needs to be put into that game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. KU football players: You have so much to be proud of -- across the nation, we are so proud of you guys! Win or lose on Saturday, make sure to shake Iowa State's hands -- they are great guys, just like you, and a hard working group to boot. respect the cyclones! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

    ( | suggest removal )