UF center John Egbunu is averaging 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and has converted 69 percent of his shots over the last four games.
Egbunu Suffers Ligament Tear in Thumb
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Florida's hopes for a postseason run took a big hit Tuesday.
As in an injury to the Gators' big man.
Sophomore center John Egbunu tore a ligament in his right thumb at practice, leaving his availability for this week's Southeastern Conference Tournament in doubt. The 6-foot-11, 245-pounder will suit up for Florida (18-13) in Thursday's second-round game against Arkansas (16-15), but how effective he can be with his hand in a fitted, functional brace is in doubt. He is, however, cleared to play, according to trainer David "Duke" Werner.
"Realistically, I don't know how much he'll be able to go," UF coach Mike White said.
Egbunu, who's averaging 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, is tops among the team's starters in field-goal percentage at 58.1 and just last week had a career-high 27 points in a home loss against Kentucky when he made 12 of 15 shots, including nine dunks. Egbunu has made 27 of his last 39 shots over the previous four games, but those were with two good hands.
Now his dominant hand will be in a brace and obviously impede his ability to grasp the ball, not to mention shoot it.
If Egbunu can't play, that means his post minutes will go to 6-9 freshman Kevarrius Hayes (2.1 points, 2.4 rebounds per game) and 6-10 Schuyler Rimmer (1.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg), though White and his staff could opt to play small with 6-8 forward Dorian Finney-Smith moving inside.
Either way, the Gators must figure out a way to deal with Razorbacks center Moses Kingsley, who goes 6-10, 230 pounds and is averaging 16.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
As in an injury to the Gators' big man.
Sophomore center John Egbunu tore a ligament in his right thumb at practice, leaving his availability for this week's Southeastern Conference Tournament in doubt. The 6-foot-11, 245-pounder will suit up for Florida (18-13) in Thursday's second-round game against Arkansas (16-15), but how effective he can be with his hand in a fitted, functional brace is in doubt. He is, however, cleared to play, according to trainer David "Duke" Werner.
"Realistically, I don't know how much he'll be able to go," UF coach Mike White said.
Egbunu, who's averaging 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, is tops among the team's starters in field-goal percentage at 58.1 and just last week had a career-high 27 points in a home loss against Kentucky when he made 12 of 15 shots, including nine dunks. Egbunu has made 27 of his last 39 shots over the previous four games, but those were with two good hands.
Now his dominant hand will be in a brace and obviously impede his ability to grasp the ball, not to mention shoot it.
If Egbunu can't play, that means his post minutes will go to 6-9 freshman Kevarrius Hayes (2.1 points, 2.4 rebounds per game) and 6-10 Schuyler Rimmer (1.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg), though White and his staff could opt to play small with 6-8 forward Dorian Finney-Smith moving inside.
Either way, the Gators must figure out a way to deal with Razorbacks center Moses Kingsley, who goes 6-10, 230 pounds and is averaging 16.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
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