McGary To Undergo Back Surgery, Out Indefinitely
Get used to this, unfortunately. (Photo: Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog)
AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH (via U-M Media Relations, emphasis mine):
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball head coach John Beilein announced today (Friday, Dec. 27), that sophomore forward Mitch McGary (Chesterton, Ind./Brewster Academy [N.H.]) will be out indefinitely after electing to have a surgery performed on his lower back. There is no timetable for McGary’s return; however, the medical staff expects him to make a full recovery.
"My back problems have been a daily challenge ever since late August," said McGary. "We have worked hard rehabbing the injury and I thought that everything was proceeding in the right direction until the last two weeks. I have consulted with my family, my coaches and our doctors and decided the best option now is to have surgery. This was a difficult decision to make because I want to be out there with my teammates. At the same time, I need to be healthy to give everything I can on the court and help my team."
"We want Mitch to be 100 percent healthy again," said Beilein. "He has worked very hard over the last few months and during his earlier rehab. He was making progress in practice and games; however, lately he began to experience the same pain he had when we held him out of preseason practice this fall. Our first priority is Mitch's overall health even though I am certain he would rather be back on the court right now."
The timing couldn't be much worse with Big Ten season just around the corner. I'm no doctor (paging Heiko...) but I'm guessing Michigan will be lucky if McGary is back at anything close to full strength by postseason play.
UPDATE: More details, more despair:
John Beilein says Mitch McGary's indefinite absence could last entire season. McGary has not undergone surgery. Potentially coming next week
— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) December 27, 2013
And the potential silver lining:
Just talked to a couple NBA guys -- both echoed same sentiment with McGary. With back issues and way be plays, could fall out of 1st round.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) December 27, 2013
It appears the best thing that could come out of this is McGary coming back for his junior year; that's not much consolation if this is a lost season for him, as is appears it will be.
December 27th, 2013 at 4:35 PM ^
But that means he should be back NEXT season?! Right? Right? Looking for the positive spin!
December 27th, 2013 at 4:37 PM ^
2013...
December 27th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 4:37 PM ^
That joke isn't funny anymore. Here's a picture of Morrissey with a cat on his head.
December 27th, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^
better than ever. No sugar coating how much this sucks for this season though...
December 27th, 2013 at 5:07 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 4:39 PM ^
Shortening December to 27 days so this godforsaken year is over after today?
December 27th, 2013 at 4:42 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^
Ugggghhh! What a disaster and the last thing this team needed with the Big Ten season coming up. Let's hope Morgan and Horford are up the task.........
December 27th, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 5:19 PM ^
Hold me tight.
EDIT: Here is a video of Coach Beilein and Big Mitch talking about the surgery:
http://www.umhoops.com/2013/12/27/video-john-beilen-mitch-mcgary-talk-mcgary-back-surgery/
December 27th, 2013 at 4:50 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 4:57 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 5:05 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 6:32 PM ^
You're entitled to you opinion obviously, but I think this is a complete overreaction. This Michigan team still has plenty of talent to make the NCAA tourney.
December 27th, 2013 at 7:11 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 5:08 PM ^
no offense to our 2013 NCAA Championship squads like Men's Gymnastics, Men's Swimming & Diving, but seriously gotta throw a big F U to this year in michigan sports. never been so excited for the calendar to flip to Jan 1. while many of the varsity teams across the board had great years, the woulda, coulda, shoulda moments of what might have been for some games/teams/seasons has been to much to take.
December 27th, 2013 at 5:15 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 5:22 PM ^
At least Morgan gets a lot of minutes in his senior year. Silver lining :)
December 27th, 2013 at 5:39 PM ^
We could be fine. This defniitely hurts but there are worse things. I think we can still make the Tourney since there are still many talented pieces. If McGary comes back next year could be special. Dang I hate that phrase next year.
I still trust the coaching staff and Morgan has always been solid. Also Horford gets more minutes which could help with his devlopment.
We shall see. Buckle up gents it's going to be an interesting ride.
December 27th, 2013 at 6:03 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
since 2003. In the 10 seasons since then we have 1 win against Ohio, 1 BCS win, 2 bowl wins, 6 seasons with 5 or more losses, the Horror, 1 of 6 vs Sparty, etc. etc.
The Michigan Malase started long before RR got here and it continues long after he left.
December 27th, 2013 at 6:42 PM ^
The gift (from hell) that keeps on giving. It's like the STD of years.
December 27th, 2013 at 6:51 PM ^
I know people are calming this doomsday, but a hobbled McGary isn't a massive upgrade over the guys on the roster, and I'd rather see a team figure out what they can do with the guys in the rotation than always plan for the potential of a guy fluctuating due to injury.
December 27th, 2013 at 7:15 PM ^
2013 has still been the best year for our basketball team in a long time.
December 28th, 2013 at 11:27 AM ^
From a basketball perspective, the first four months of 2013 could not have been much better! (Hopefully this time next year I'll be able to say the same about 2014 from a football perspective.)
December 27th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^
December 27th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
They will likely need a minnimum of 9 wins in the B1G regular season plus another 1-2 wins in the B1G tournament to have a shot and with our lackluster front court and youthfull back court I'm not very confident.
Those close losses to Charlotte, Iowa State, and Arizona loom large.
December 28th, 2013 at 7:27 AM ^
December 28th, 2013 at 7:27 AM ^
December 28th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
When something like this happens I feel guilty for always wanting these kids that are guaranteed millionaires to come back to school. I hope this works out for Mitch as back issues tend to linger. I am going to say that after watching Lewan get up limping several times this year and now McGary's back that I will no longer be the guy that says this kid or that kid should come back one more year. If you are a first round pick in your respective sport my POV has changed, take the money guys because you just can't be sure it will be there the next year.
December 28th, 2013 at 12:48 PM ^
Our young talent should improve through the season. At least on paper we are more talented than half the B1G teams and even going .500 in the B1G will guarantee a bid. If we had McGary, we probably would make it back to the sweet 16 but we may just win one game in the tourney before getting dumped. But you never know? I'm still excited about the up coming B1G season.
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