Horford's Season Officially Over
A Baumgardner item at annarbor.com quotes Beilein as saying Horford's season is over:
On Friday, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein said it doesn't make sense to chance putting the 6-foot-10 sophomore forward back into the lineup this late in the year as he continues to recover from a right foot injury.
"We're just working him hard in half court (during practice) and thinking about the future," Beilein said. "I don't think it makes much sense (to play him now).
"It's not fair to him."
Horford's injury has been unfortunate as I thought he was posed for a breakout season, and the team could have used him in a number of recent games. He'll be eligible to apply for a medical redshirt at a later date.
Also on the injury front, Carlton Brundidge returned to practice yesterday and may be ready to play in Saturday's Purdue game. He's missed several games because of complications from asthma.
"He was sick before our last trip, he had an upper respiratory infection, so he didn't make the trip," Beilein said. "He practiced (Thursday) and (could be) full-go (on Saturday)."
February 24th, 2012 at 4:04 PM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
It's too bad he largely misses out on this season- but he should get another year and can be part of what all of us hope (and think) can be a pretty incredible next couple of seasons!
February 24th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^
based on the fact he didnt play vs northwestern, when they needed him BADLY, this is not suprising
February 24th, 2012 at 4:42 PM ^
Horford didn't even make the trip to Northwestern, so it was obvious in advance he wasn't going to play. He has yet to even be cleared to go through a full workout with the team.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^
Its very tough to try and not look past this season and into next. We have a legit shot to make a deep run this year imo, just looking at our roster for next year is looking VERY good
February 24th, 2012 at 4:49 PM ^
I share your optimism, but this squad, while not supremely talented, is a very well composed basketball team. For me, they're a joy to watch, to an extent that very few Michigan teams the last 20 years have been. There are 5 very likeable starters, one solid, though inconsistent bench player + another who can make a few timely threes (and a couple of hard working bigs). The hard work this squad puts in game after game, rarely disappointing and managing to pull though in several close contests, I don't see how you can not enjoy this season.
I think we have a very legit shot at a deep tourney run this year, though it's going to take a hot Tim Hardaway to do it. He's our key down the stretch, if he and Burke can create a bit more for each other and not just for themselves and others, I think we can beat just about anybody.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^
It's unfortunate for him, but it does relieve the logjam we had eligibility-wise in the post. McLimans's subtle transition from "RS Soph" to "Junior" does as well.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:20 PM ^
This is a slam-dunk injury redshirt case though, since he hasn't taken a regular redshirt yet. If we're full strength next year, we'll be dangerous, really dangerous.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:38 PM ^
As I have always understood the rule, it applies if, before playing in the required percentage of games, one suffers a season ending injury, one can usually get a redshirt year. Here, like with Devin Gardner, it does not appear to be a season ending injury, but rather an injury that has lasted long enough that they (athlete, coaches, whoever) have decided not to let him play a few games at the end of the year. I don't think that sort of a decision is appropriate, but since the SEC has for years allowed guys to sort of pull a muscle and get away with this, it will probably be approved. It's especially tough, though, since they don't make decisions on these until you ask for an extra year. If they say no, you're done.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^
Horford was my favorite player until Morgan rose up..... and this is gonna be a great thing to see next year... a mature Horford... right now he is still quite green in many ways... but I'm hoping to see the man in him come out in the court next year.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:41 PM ^
for this we are who we are this year, and he is a skinny skinny kid who another year in the weight room could really help him in his last 2 seasons here.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
Since when is 250 pounds skinny?
February 24th, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
It's relative, man. McClimans weighs 240 and he's all skin and bones. Both McClimans and Horford are 6'10, so imagine McClimans with 10 more pounds. Still pretty skinny.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:01 PM ^
and look like he does I guess? I mean come one he just needs to thicken up like his older brother and were all good on our front line.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:57 PM ^
Don't know how, but I'm guessing some people missed the 30 lbs he put on during the offseason. And since he has hardly played this season, they only remember how he looked last season.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
looked like this year also he was getting pushed all around down low. Maybe he isnt skinny but damn I still think the weight room should be priority number one this off season
February 24th, 2012 at 5:07 PM ^
When did he hurt his foot? Easy to get pushed around if you only have one good foot to brace with.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:11 PM ^
time he was playing was before the injury if I recall right. I love the kid just think he needs to put on some weight with his frame he looks like he has room to grow. Kinda reminds me of Coltan Christian body wise.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:27 PM ^
I don't think it would be necessarily bad for him to put on a little more weight, but to call him "a skinny skinny kid" is absurd. That's a better description for the Pistons' Austin Daye, 6'11", 200 lbs.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:48 PM ^
fair enough I dont think I was being absurd but he isnt Manute Bol skinny for sure I agree with that.
February 24th, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^
It's relative. Austin Daye is very skinny, but he's also not a center. You can be a string bean and play SF, but if you're going to bang around down low, you need more beef.
The poster above was exagerating, but for his frame Horford needs more beef, no doubt about it. If he was about 260 or 265, he'd be able to hold his own a lot better on the blocks, and would be a beast to have in for us.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:00 PM ^
Horford won't and shouldn't get to 260 pounds. That is too big for his frame. Basketball is a game of speed, strength and quickness, I don't believe for a second Horford's optimal weight is 260. What he gains in size he loses more in other areas.
Kevin Love dropped 25 pounds in the off season because he thought it would help his game Love has a much bigger frame than Horford. Horford needs to get stronger but not necessarily bigger. 260 pounds would put more stress on his knees and feet, I don't think he wants that.
I quickly looked up a few NBA players:
Tyson Chandler 7'1'' 235
Pau Gasol 7'0'' 250
Lemarcus Aldridge 6'11'' 240
Andris Bierdens 7'0'' 240
Michael Beasley 6'10'' 235
February 24th, 2012 at 5:17 PM ^
With a redshirt for this year, doesn't Horford have 3 years of eligibility left?
February 24th, 2012 at 5:22 PM ^
sophmore last year, but now thinking about it you may be right. I thought he came in with D Morris 3 years ago.
February 24th, 2012 at 6:41 PM ^
This is his soph season. He'll be a RS soph next year.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:06 PM ^
He's got three more years.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:46 PM ^
I made no secret about thinking Horford was ready for a breakout season. I hope he gets his redshirt and is able to recover fully from his injuries. It seems to be taking him as long to "grow into his body" as it did his dad. His dad turned out OK, though.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:24 PM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 5:35 PM ^
I am glad Horford is fine with being redshirted. I think this will benefit us for the next few years. It sucks we can't have him this year since I think we could be a sleeper Final 4 team, but having Horford for an extra year will be nice.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:51 PM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 6:01 PM ^
Then go beast mode next year
February 24th, 2012 at 6:10 PM ^
Horford also battled injuries his freshman season. Big men take time and patience. No hurry young Horford, you have 3 full seasons left.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:03 PM ^
I hope he comes back stronger. When he was getting the starts ahead of Morgan in the early season it made me think that Morgan must have really regressed because Horford wasn't particularly impressive.