Mark Saxon from the OC Register has an update on Michael Roll, who has been working to recover from a torn plantar fascia in his left foot
“Once you get to a certain point where you’re bending your foot, you can just feel a sharp pain,” Roll said. “You don’t want to push it any harder, so you can’t get any elevation on a jump shot. Bad things are going to come from that.”
After nine months of rehabilitation, Roll has been playing nearly daily in the pickup games at the men’s gym on campus. Though he admits he is not 100-percent healthy yet, he is vying for a major role on a Bruins team that will be short on experience.
Roll remains a junior after the NCAA awarded him a medical hardship season.
“We’re really counting on Mike having a big year for us and I think he will,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said. “He’s worked really hard this summer.”
Right now I am anxious to see whether Roll can fully recover from this nasty injury and make meaningful contribution this upcoming season. I am hoping for the best. I know some folks are down on this kid last season, but that overlooks the fact how painful and difficult this injury is to recover from. From what I saw from Roll in his first two season, I saw a kid who has great basketball IQ and who plays within his role in the team. If he can give some decent mins next season I think it will really help the team in terms of depth and also brining our young guards up to speed on how to play within Howland's system.
In other news, Dick Vitale posted his early pre-season rankings recently in which Bruins are at number 4.
Oh and per request we now have a countdown going for first exhibition game against Cal Baptist when we get to see the newest edition of Ben Ball warriors with UCLA stitched infront of their home whites. Can't wait.
GO BRUINS.