That means he is done for the year...wow. Terrible, terrible luck for this team. Lavin misses almost all of last year with cancer, then comes back, leads us to a solid spot in the conference, we lose our can't miss hometown stud Lawrence to a team that will play Tulane, SMU, ECU, Branch gets hurt, his father dies, and now he is basically done for the season in the most important stretch. Really not confident at all without Branch. Greene gets red hot then gets ice cold. The only way we make the tourney now is if we get the red hot Greene for most of the final games.
Jamal Branch
- Thread starter redmannorth
- Start date
I'm no doctor, but coach speak is always biased in the optimistic direction...so if that is the optimistic report and it said he will possibly miss the rest of the year, he probably will. I think most of us know that deep down, but don't want to think it. If he still has pain so many weeks later, that's not a good sign. Sometimes sprains are worse than breaking a bone and can take longer to heal. It was a bad sprain and I had a feeling his season was done by the look of anguish on his face.
Quite frankly, I think he should just shut it down for the rest of the season. Last thing I want to see is another DJ Kennedy moment. With the amount of ACL/MCL injuries we've seen in basketball recently, if he's not 100%, I say don't risk it.
The team will have to make due without him. It was a freak injury. Could have happened to anyone.
Greene will ave to step up. I've been wondering why we haven't seen much improvement in Greene as a PG with Darrick Martin in the fold. Really puzzling what he has added to the staff this year concerning player development.
The team will have to make due without him. It was a freak injury. Could have happened to anyone.
Greene will ave to step up. I've been wondering why we haven't seen much improvement in Greene as a PG with Darrick Martin in the fold. Really puzzling what he has added to the staff this year concerning player development.
Greene seems to have limited vision, and lacks a certain feel to the game as a PG. IMO, those shortcomings takes the coaching element out of play.
IMO, Branch has gotten better. That is probably attributed to him getting his legs under him after missing so much time, and being a bit smarter with the ball.
Class of 72
Active member
I tend to agree Joe. Lavin is the most optimistic coach out there and in 1-2 weeks the season is basically over. At best, coach may test him in the Big East tourney but if there is still pain Jamal could hurt himself and the team.
I am hoping for the best but we have been snake-bitten two years in a row. Year three will be a charm.
On the positive side both Felix and Marco will benefit from the extra minutes.
guinness77
Well-known member
Its looking like a 6 something week injury, which is what it looked like when it happened. It was ugly, you could tell it had grade II written all over it. The look on his face, the bending of the leg, and the way he was carried off the court and into the lockerroom said it all. Sad, really. This team was just hitting its stride when Branch was getting comfortable with his teammates. I agree with the poster who said it ('98?), don't get him back on the court until he is absolutely 100 percent.
JackofVirginia
Active member
It's amazing that Harrison makes keener passes then our point guard. Even though Greene isn't truly a point guard don't you think he should at least show signs of improvement after two years.
jrhoops1949
Active member
jrhoops1949
Active member
Can we expect a kid who's been playing hurt as long as Phil has to show improvement? Just as likely he's laid up for the year. BE a tough place to be playin hurt.
Original post wrong spot.
tom in salem
Well-known member
StJohnsBasketball @StJohnsBBall 6m
Branch is one individual that has stood out the most...just watching practice and seeing what he has been doing out there. - @SJUCoachLavin
Branch is one individual that has stood out the most...just watching practice and seeing what he has been doing out there. - @SJUCoachLavin
tom in salem
Well-known member
enn Robbins @LennRobbins 8m
Jamal Branch stood out the most..in my career, the most improved player - Lavin. So, who is the starting PG? big ? @StJohnsBBall
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Jamal Branch stood out the most..in my career, the most improved player - Lavin. So, who is the starting PG? big ? @StJohnsBBall
Expand
beast of the east
Active member
My guess that starting PG would be Branch, hands down. I am presumes he is 100% healthy with absolutely no after effects from the injury. Totally his job to lose.