McNeace likely to play Friday despite suffering new injury
NORMAN — Oklahoma center while still recovering from a lateNovember ankle sprain, sustained a new injury in the Big 12 Tournament.
“It just so happens that it's in the same leg,” OU trainer told The Oklahoman. “Somebody must have one of those Voodoo dolls. Somebody's got one, and they keep poking it.”
McNeace had to be helped off the floor last week in Kansas City, but coach
expects him to be available, albeit limited, during the NCAA Tournament.
Oklahoma opens the first round at 11:40 a.m. Friday against Ole Miss.
“I think he'll be able to play,” Kruger said. “I don't know how much. We'll have to see more though how he feels after coming back from a full-speed day.”
McNeace practiced Tuesday after sitting Monday out. His availability will be updated after Oklahoma's practice Thursday morning.
The 6-foot-10 center is averaging 4.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.
There have been several setbacks this season for McNeace, who hasn't been fully healthy since November.
“Frustrating,” Brown said of the situation. “He only missed four games. That's the amazing thing. He tried. He kept fighting it. Right now, today, it's kind of a new injury. He's constantly kept working at it. It's been heartbreaking for me. It's been heartbreaking for coach that he was about to reach his full potential right before he got hurt.”
If Oklahoma's firstround NCAA Tournament matchup against Ole Miss was decided by a one-on-one game between coaches Lon Kruger and when both were in their prime, the Sooners would sail into the second round.
Kruger was a two-time Big Eight Player of the Year at Kansas State. Davis played at Phillips County Community College in Arkansas before transferring to Mississippi State, where he totaled 45 minutes of playing time in two seasons.
ESPN published a list Tuesday ranking all 68 NCAA Tournament coaches as players. It ranged from St. John's legend at No. 1, to Auburn
at No. 68. coach Kruger ranked fifth behind Mullin, Central Florida coach Arizona and Davis State's
Virginia's ranked 47th.
Kruger was named Big Eight Player of the Year in 1973 and 1974. He averaged 17.6 points per game in his senior season and ranks 19th on Kansas State's career scoring list.
The school retired his No. 12 jersey in 2006. Graduate guard
on his enthusiasm rubbing off on teammates:
“These next couple of days leading into Friday I want to keep our intensity up and keep us excited to go out there and play. They are very winnable games.”