M Bah a Moute to have MRI / Shipp sick with Strep Throat

by rfirpo on Mar 24, 2008 5:44 PM PDT

Hopefully this is no big deal. Hopefully it truly is "just precautionary." However, the fact is that Prince Luc is having an MRI today.

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was set to undergo an MRI on his sprained left ankle and Josh Shipp was recovering from strep throat Monday, putting two of the Bruins' starters at less than full strength.

Coach Ben Howland said the MRI on Mbah a Moute was being done as a precaution.

"His ankle was swollen pretty severely yesterday," he said. "I was surprised and a little bit down by it. We [didn't] anticipate there being any issue."

Mbah a Moute returned Saturday night against Texas A&M after missing two games. He had two points, eight rebounds, six turnovers and four fouls in 32 minutes of the Bruins' 51-49 second-round victory.

"It hurt his timing that he hadn't practiced," Howland said. "His rebounding, defense and double-teams created a lot of havoc that helped us. I don't think we can advance much further without him."

Howland said the junior forward would play Thursday "barring any unforeseen abnormality on the MRI."

Also, apparently Josh Shipp is sufferring from strep throat. Honestly team, get healthy! I'd say, "can we get a break," but that would probably incense those who think all the breaks are going our way.

With all the Texas A&M post game talk, it's easy to forget that we are still not at full stength. I can't say enough about how Roll being hurt has affected this team, and regardless of how Prince Luc played on Saturday, is there any question that he is one of our most important players? Every team suffers injuries, and it is part of the game. But our run is special considering our setbacks. People can complain about how UCLA is getting all the calls, but for every call (or non-call) I will show you a bump, bruise, tear, or rupture.

Let's hope we get healthy (again).

And Go Bruins!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Dang, beat me to it!

Nice, rfirpo.

Here's what I had:

WTF? Luc to undergo MRI, Shipp has strep

Oh dear, this doesn't sound very good:

Coach Ben Howland said the MRI on Mbah a Moute was being done as a precaution.

"His ankle was swollen pretty severely yesterday," he said. "I was surprised and a little bit down by it. We don't anticipate there being any issue."

granted, we've got the emerging keefe as the new No. 1 guy off the bench, but I think we can all agree that we are a FAR better team with a healthy Luc than without one. Per the WWL, Howland said Luc would play against WKY "barring any unforeseen abnormality on the MRI."

However, it looks like the walking wounded is a duo, not a solo act:

Shipp was given antibiotics for strep throat after Saturday's game, when he was scoreless in 37 minutes but came up with a key block on A&M's final shot to preserve the victory.

Now I'll admit, I've been screaming at the TV for JS to drive/ slash/ shoot more. And no, I do not discount the experience, screens, and passing lane defense he provides us which are certainly important to our team. No arguments whatsoever.

However, I think we can all agree that playing 2-on-5 on offense to start the game is NOT what our Bruins should be doing. Not by a freaking longshot. I believe JS and RW will step up.

I believe it, and I REALLY want to see it. SOON. JS is arguably, behind KL, our best finisher near the rim in terms of touch, hands, moves, and resourcefulness. I'd be just as happy seeing JS go 5 for 6 inside the paint as I would be watching him go for 4 for 7 outside the arc.

I just firmly believe that we need a solid team OFFENSE as much as we need a dominating team DEFENSE.

Apparently, CBH feels the same way:

"That's an aberration," Howland said. "We want to get more production out of our other three starters."

Here's to fast healing and regained stroke for ALL of our Bruins.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Mar 24, 2008 5:48 PM PDT 0 recs