Gorgui Dieng's Status For Connecticut Game Still Unclear
by Mike Rutherford on Feb 5, 2012 11:07 PM EST
in Basketball
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PrintLouisville head coach Rick Pitino was unavailable for comment on Sunday, which left the most pressing issue facing his team - the status of injured center Gorgui Dieng - unsettled heading into Monday's game against Connecticut.
Pitino stated after Saturday's win over Rutgers that he thought it was "doubtful" Dieng, who sprained his right ankle in the second half of the game, would be able to go against the Huskies. It was a sentiment the sophomore himself did not echo.
"I'm ready to play," Dieng declared in the locker room on Saturday. "I care about this team more than anything. Anything I can do to help my team win, I'm ready for. Everybody works hard on this team and I don't want to let anybody down."
Dieng finished the game against Rutgers with eight points, seven blocked shots and four rebounds in 31 minutes. Three of those blocks and three of those rebounds came after he re-entered the game following his ankle sprain.
If Dieng isn't able to go, Pitino said Saturday that he will probably look to seldom-used freshman Zach Price to square off against 6-10 Connecticut freshman Andre Drummond.
"I'll say this - and he's not totally ready - but I'm not afraid to put Zach in in crucial situations," Pitino said.
Price saw the court for just the fourth time in Big East play against Rutgers, and says he'll be ready if his number is called on Big Monday.
"My confidence is building and building," he said. "I'm getting in the gym and working on my execution with passing. Gorgui is a great passer. I'm just learning from him. I feel like I can bring a lot of things but mostly defensive effort. I still feel that I can bring that large presence."
Pitino's only other option if Dieng isn't available is to play senior forward Jared Swopshire at the five. Swopshire has played a handful of minutes at the position since Rakeem Buckles suffered a season-ending ACL tear on Jan. 16.
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if anything amazing happens to UL in the next 2 1/4 basketball seasons..
I’ll know its because Gorgui Dieng is one of the most selfless, hardworking, and unpronounceable players to ever hit Denny Crum Court
by Leigh on Feb 5, 2012 11:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I love Gorgui!
He’s definitely making his case to be my favorite Cardinal to put on the uniform!
Oh, and playing Swop at the five? That’s just comedic. It’s not April Fool’s Day yet!
"It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."
-Muhammad Ali
by Red Rage06 on Feb 5, 2012 11:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Correct. He really lookes lost out there
by Carolina Cardinal on Feb 6, 2012 7:04 AM EST up reply actions
Swop at the five
Shouldnt even be a consideration, IMO. As others stated-he looks completely lost. Why not put Chane at the 5, KK at the 4 and swop at the 3? Either that or run with a 4 guard lineup and Chane in the middle-he definitely has the speed to keep up.
Oh well- hopefully Gorgs is fine and all this uneasiness I’m feeling will be irrelevant.
Go Cards! Beat UConn!
by twistedwedge on Feb 6, 2012 10:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not a bad idea
but against a team like UCONN we would be so undersized that it would be a miracle that we get any rebound.
True, true
battle of the boards is going to be a major factor tonight
by twistedwedge on Feb 6, 2012 5:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
sure he did, if you want to call it that
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
LKSTLK
see if you can figure that out
by PS3theFuture on Feb 5, 2012 11:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not hard to figure out
but awesome to figure out
by Chris Redman is my hero on Feb 6, 2012 8:04 AM EST up reply actions
If I was a woman I'd find a way to marry Gorgs
by Cards86 on Feb 5, 2012 11:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions
surgery is always an option
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
How high the moon!
I have never seen, since Darrell Griffin Jr in Ballard’s gym in 1995, a short person sky so high. Unbelievable! I still don’t understand how white men cant jump.
Head of ADHD Operations
Follow @toddnburks
White guys don't have the glutes
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
Kevin Willard
Just opened his mouth about Saturday’s game and wondered why he is the only coach with white guys who can’t shoot. I bet his white players love that.
When is SVT going to get healthy, or is he out for the season and I missed it?
Thought he could be expected any time.
GO! CARDS!
BEAT!
PURDUE!
It'll have to be Gorgui or Price.
Drummond is huge.
by Get_In_My_BELLY_ on Feb 6, 2012 8:24 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Maybe Chip Cosby can tell us.
by JBKY on Feb 6, 2012 9:11 AM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs
Gorgui will play. He may not play the full game but he will play.
In his post game comments, Gorgui was pretty direct in saying he would play. He is a warrior.
In their post game comments to me, both Kyle and Chris stated they believed Gorgui would play—Chris was most emphatic, saying he was 100% certain Gorgui would go.
This next week -and the 3 key games we will play-will be a true test of the resilience of this team, how far it has come since that key team mtg, and the courage of Gorgui.
I believe he will play also. But, I am not sure if it will limit his effectiveness some, much, a lot, etc.................
There is a huge difference between being on the court, and playing at the top of your game (see Peyton Siva). And an ankle injury can make you just a step slow to react and not quite able to jump to shoot and rebound as well.
I hope he can play and I really hope he is at or at least near 100%.
by Carolina Cardinal on Feb 6, 2012 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
I noticed at the Rutgers game after his injury how he seemed to play more timid
Granted, I don’t blame him with his injury but I just felt so bad watching him limp up and down the court; it broke my heart. He still made somewhat of an impact after he went down & he is extremely determined, so I am slightly optimistic. I just hope that he’s stayed off it and it’s nothing too serious.
Agreed. Losing him for a game or two would be bad. Losing him for an extended period would be............. I can't say it.
by Carolina Cardinal on Feb 6, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
Disastrous.
I can say it.
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
i say let price start
If this were a road game it would be a even bigger challenge to play minus gorgui. Let ZP play and have chane and swop spell minutes.for him and play small ball. Let’s face it, gorgui is an absolute key to March success. Playing on a semi bum ankle could cause futher injury, but if he sits out until Saturday s game and gets closer to 100% that would benefit the team more than an 80% gorgui for possibly 3 games.
by jbwise on Feb 6, 2012 10:46 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm no medical expert, just have good seats at the YUM!
And from where I was sitting I could see the trainer wrapping Gorgui’s ankle and the brace he put on it was mainly below his shoe. So, I wonder if that means it’s not a high ankle sprain and more like a rolled ankle or something a little more minor. Anyone?
Since wayne has added some weight
Let’s debut blackshear at the five. Even with short breath, a bum shoulder and weight issues and no legitimate clock—its way less scary then playing Swop AT ALL.
by HaHaSypher on Feb 6, 2012 11:42 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Would much rather see Price get the call for the 5-spot than Swop
But, hopefully Gorgui can go tonight.
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just walked into gorgs on campus.
He’s wearing a boot on his right foot… I don’t know if I like that.
by RedHeadfortheRedBirds on Feb 6, 2012 12:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He'd be wearing it regardless just as protection
Doesn’t say anything one way or another
by Chris Redman is my hero on Feb 6, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Gorgui with a boot > Swopshire playing a flute ...
Soft music as the UCONN Bigs fly by him
I talked to a friend of mine who
is very familiar with the team. He spends a lot of time at their practices and talks to the players. He said Gorgui has been having some trouble with injuries for the last few weeks. He said it’s just part of it and he’s used to it. He was about 100% sure that Gorgs would be playing tonight. I hope he’s right.
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