What the...? Luc to undergo MRI, Shipp has strep

by Meriones on Mar 24, 2008 5:57 PM PDT in Basketball

Oh dear, as rfirpo already quickly pointed out in the diaries, we've got a medical update which doesn't sound very good:

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 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, ball movement, hustle and passing lane defense from Shipp which are certainly important to our team. No arguments whatsoever.

However, I think we can all agree that playing 2-on-5 on offense in the first half of a 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 balanced 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.

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Comments

I don't care if they say

the MRI is just a precaution. Luc did not look himself Saturday and the fact that they're having an MRI at all scares me. Hopefully he is fine and can get closer to being himself Thursday. In a perfect world we'd get a biiiiiig lead and Luc (as well as everyone else) can play limited minutes, but this is the NCAA tourney and everyone is good so I'm not counting on it.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 24, 2008 6:02 PM PDT reply actions

I'm Worried, Too

I think he looked uncomfortable on Saturday. Obviously, they're worried that there might be tearing that led to the fluid which is causing the swelling. X-rays don't show that kind of damage.

That being said, this is that amazing group of warriors that steps up when they need to--every time. If Luc needs to take it easy, the other players will do whatever is necessary to play and win.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Mar 25, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

i really respect the fact

that nobody on the Ucla team makes excuses.
ever.
not for themselves.
not for each other.

really, if they weren't doing things that were public medical info i don't think we would even know, and imho there is no question that this was a big part of the lack of production

just another reason why the exhortations of many members of our nation to be supportive of josh in particular are absolutely correct

this teams' character is amazing.

by glassbruin on Mar 24, 2008 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

Forget 3 point shooting

We need Josh, when healthy, to do his freshman stuff: garbage baskets, driving to the basket etc.

But if he had the junk that has been going around we should all thank him for even being able to get out on the court!

And, oh lord, please have the MRI come out negative on Luc!

Go Team Go!

by bruins grad and dad on Mar 24, 2008 7:29 PM PDT reply actions

Not a time to be faint-hearted

The Geezers and history buffs will remember when The Great One (that's Gary Beban for you Philistines) broke his ankle the week before we played justsc, and a guy named Norman Dow came in and took care of business with a 14-7 win.

We don't have a bunch of stiffs sitting on the bench. If one of those guys has to play more than might otherwise have been anticipated, remember that they're all Ben Ball Warriors. If Coach Howland has confidence in their abilities, then so do I.

by Fox 71 on Mar 24, 2008 7:30 PM PDT reply actions

Also remember...

Cameron Dollar coming in for Tyus in '95. Got the ball stolen from him on the very first play. I thought we were doomed. Didn't turn out that way at all though did it...

by bruin8uclap on Mar 24, 2008 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Intensity

If we play with the intensity that Westbrook displayed at the end of that drive throughout 25% of a game then god help the opposing team.

by edlamas2000 on Mar 24, 2008 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

No love from the WWL

Just saw it: Hubert Davis picks W Kentucky for the Sweet 16 upset on Sportscenter.

by jlazarus on Mar 24, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply actions

Davis is a douche

Of course he picks WKU... he doesn't want his Tar Heels to face a healthy Bruins team.

by UCLA4Life on Mar 24, 2008 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Hubert Davis is a tool

He's afraid to pick more than two 1-seeds for the Final Four, and he will never, ever go against the Tar Heels... The same team that left its starters in against Arkansas, up by more than 30 with 5 minutes left just so they could hit 100 points... and then the subs continue to shoot 3's with less than 30 sconds left.

by Class of 86 on Mar 24, 2008 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not surprised

After all, he was the first governor of California to be recalled. Oh, wait. That's a different Davis. Yeah, I got it now. He was a long time coach in the NBA ... No. That was Hubie Brown.

I guess I have to say I've never heard of Hubert Davis. And to be fair, he's surely never heard of me. But he has as much credibility as any of the other experts in the MSM, and my prognostication for the game has as much credibility as his. And I say he's full of crap.

A month from now, no one will remember that this guy picked WKY to win if the Bruins manage to get a victory. And Hubert Davis (if that really is his name) will go ahead with his pick that the Pirates will be the National League representative in the World Series. But if WKY happens to beat us, you can bet that Hubert Davis will have that prediction in bold face at the top of his resume.

If you pick every lower-seeded team to win, you will do well once in a while and that will generate a lot of flash (just as long as you're not asked about all the incorrect predictions you made.) But you won't be cashing a lot of winning tickets in the long run. So this kind of prediction is cheap. I wonder if he would bet his house and his job on it?

by Fox 71 on Mar 24, 2008 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

haha was just about

to comment on that..whatever

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 24, 2008 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope more people pick WKy

Just make sure Howland and Co. get those predictions posted in the locker room. I love the free motivation.

by popopapa on Mar 24, 2008 9:35 PM PDT reply actions

WWL's Sportscenter Opening Sequence

"And stay tuned to find out why UCLA will be the first number one seed to fall, to Western Kentucky."

If you slit my throat right now, you'd be shot in the eye with boiling blood.

by lolwtferic on Mar 24, 2008 10:09 PM PDT reply actions

that's pretty funny

the most logical upset in my mind is MSU over Memphis

MSU is very physical, well coached, playing solid right now (just beat Pitt unfortunately)...Memphis has struggled in the tournament when they've hit teams with good D and this year may be no exception...

by glassbruin on Mar 24, 2008 10:11 PM PDT reply actions

dude, it's not shipp

it's the infectious disease that worries me...

by jjreicher on Mar 24, 2008 11:05 PM PDT reply actions

Hmmm...

Maybe he should go hang out with Hubert Davis and the gang for a while. Do lots of high-fives and hugging. Give Digger a big ol' Bruin hug. Rub Vitale's bald head. Whisper sweet nothings into Knight's ear...

by tasser10 on Mar 25, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Just posted this in turn phoenix blue..

but just thought I'd ask here too. I'm thinking about making the trek out to AZ but we just had to shell out big time for the anaheim tickets, is it true tickets in phoenix will be cheaper and easier to come by?

Also does anyone know the rule on using other peoples season tickets? A season ticket holder offered us their tickets for phoenix, but apparently the season ticket holder has to show ID in person, at the stadium in phoenix to pick them up?

is this true or can bruin season ticket holders get ticket now, and then say give them up to other bruin fans willing and able to make the trip to phoenix?

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 24, 2008 11:13 PM PDT reply actions

Phoenix tickets

This is from uclabruins.com:
Tickets will NOT be mailed. ALL tickets MUST be picked-up IN PERSON at will-call at the site of the tournament by the SEASON TICKET HOLDER OF RECORD. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy. Please DO NOT request seats if you personally do not plan on using those seats as only you will be able to pick them up at will-call. Photo ID will be required. This policy allows the greatest number of our season ticket holders to attend the Tournament in person, rather than other fans who are not season ticket holders.

I know they are very strict about this. You should be able to buy some tickets there - I saw several people selling them outside the arena in Anaheim.

hubert picked arizona to beat UCLA at Pauley and UCLA won by 22. Good job Huuuubert. GO BRUINS!!!

by Westwooden1 on Mar 25, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions