Eli Brooks Officially a Game-Time Decision Today
Per Jon Rothstein through a school spokesperson, Eli Brooks is officially a game-time decision today. Even if he doesn't play today, this is fantastic news as it really shows the injury wasn't as bad as we all feared. He should definitely be good to go for the NCAA Tourney.
Given Maryland's size, this could be a great opportunity for Chaundee Brown in the event Brooks does sit.
Link to tweet:
https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1370348795507187713?s=20
Eli has more teeth to spare - can't hold anything back in March.
That's a positive sign... makes it seem like he is progressing in order to be able to play for the tournament.
Sam and Tim McCormick had an interesting conversation on the Michigan Basketball Insider Podcast about how spraining an ankle over and over can actually help strengthen the ankle, and make those sprains less worrisome over time. Is there a doctor that can explain if this is true, or just a former NBA player playing mental games with himself to get back on the court.
The comment happens at the 17:00 mark of the BTT Preview Michigan Basketball Insider Podcast.
That seems like a very painful way to "strengthen" your ankle.
I'm no doctor, but I played basketball through high school and years later I still try to play pick up at least twice a week, and in my experience this is 100% true. I averaged an ankle sprain per season in middle school and high school, and have probably rolled/sprained my ankle a couple of times every year since. For me it hurts like hell right away afterwards, but with ice and a brace I can get back to playing within a couple days. Translate that to Eli, who has the body of an actual athlete, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if the same applies to him.
Fewer ligaments left to tear with each successive sprain!
I am not a doctor and I can only give you my personal experience of spraining my ankle over and over again, never quite allowing it to heal before returning to action. It certainly did NOT make it stronger, quite the opposite. It is now a loose joint compared to its brethren and prone to reinjury. Not the recommended way to go.
My experience as well. I played a lot of Bball in my teens, twenties and thirties and have sprained both ankles many times. Now I can roll my ankle on a pebble if I’m not careful. Not what I would call strengthened.
Maybe some of y'all have weak ankles?
Cankles?
Wankles
March 12th, 2021 at 10:35 AM ^
Multiple sprains will make the ligaments resemble stretched out rubber bands. They definitely do not get stronger. Tape those babies up.
never quite allowing it to heal before returning to action.
This is the problem. You've got to let it heal - and particularly after the first sprain.
The argument is not that you have no recovery time necessary after repeated sprains, but that the length of that recovery time becomes shorter. Brooks has been in a walking boot this week and getting treatment. The question is whether five days of that is enough.
100% correct.
March 12th, 2021 at 10:16 AM ^
He also wasn't a doctor, but i remember when Will was shooting some B-ball outside of a school..he transferred...
I’m a doctor. This is true, possibly.
I don't know if it gets stronger, but it's less worrisome in my experience. In HS, I had two ankle injuries that kept off the diamond for weeks.
From college on, I would roll my ankle all the time and after a few minutes I'm good to go. So, it happens more often, but it's less problematic.
Im not a doctor, but my wife sells essential oils - this is true, but only with a few drops of lavender.
One of those people, huh? Only kidding... but no I don't want to buy anything.
March 12th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
I'd buy a gyro or some donut holes. Is she selling either of those things?
March 12th, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
I've been desperate for some essential oils and have a few free hours this afternoon. I'd love to hear her pitch!
March 12th, 2021 at 10:08 AM ^
Physiologically it doesn't make sense for ankles to become stronger with injury. I think what does happen is that rehab causes people to strengthen areas they injured.
That is great news, for sure
I'd prefer he be rested for the big dance though, so I really hope they don't push things if it is at all marginal
Holy smokes! That's about as good as we could've hoped for. Probably deserves it's own pos-bang if he plays at all...
Save him for the second half and only if you need him.
If he’s not 100%, I’d just sit him and wait for the Big Dance. Its clear how much this team misses him when he’s not on the floor, and I’m wondering if it’s worth having him out there at less than 100%, at risk to make things worse before next week.
So am I.
True to form, you are always so secretive.
Keep him healthy.
If he can’t go, would any you subscribe to the idea of starting Zeb and bringing Chaundee off the bench? This keeps the sub pattern consistent and will help prevent a lineup of Zeb, Davis, and Johns. Zeb starts and you still have 4 scoring options.
I wouldn't. Ideally they can get by only having Zeb play no more than 10 minutes.
I would start Chaundee on the basis of seniority. He's a senior and deserves a chance to start on a top 4 team (if Eli unable to play).
March 12th, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
My speculation on how to handle this, despite the fact that I'm a reasonably smart UM graduate, doesn't mean shit. I'm pretty sure Juwan and the boys have been working a plan since Monday AM that reflects the actual extent and nature of Eli's injury, lessons learned from having to change the rotation in the Minnesota and 2nd MSU games, and at least 2 solid practice days. I'll look forward to see their answer and hope it puts our best foot forward for the Big Dance.
I consider this amazing news!
It just gives confidence that he'll be ready by next week.
GO BLUE
I would imagine Maryland will double Hunter again and bank on Michigan being cold from outside. Given how these B1G tournament games have gone, it seems like it's definitely possible.
Lots of teams are struggling to adjust to shooting in a stadium.
If Maryland is doing this, I would love to see Hunter kick it out to Livers and Wagner and they attack the closeouts and get to the rim.
March 12th, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Wagner yes. Livers I would want shooting.
If he is ready to go, play him and start him. Bring Chaundee in when he usually is brought in, and then I think Juwan will see how both are looking and determine what is best for this game and going forward. If that means 10 minutes for Eli or 30 minutes, Juwan has shown to be pretty good when dealing with injuries, and Eli is a veteran who has played in the NCG so he knows what is best to help get us there.
Chaundee played 20+ mins in both previous games so he will be key regardless of Brooks' availability.
Problem is without Eli it’s hard to hide Mike Smith if he starts to struggle defensively. Mike gets replaced and Eli runs point and we become an exceptional defensive team. So it’s all about the ability to have options within the game.
While I really wish he was healthy enough to play, I say sit him and let him heal as much as possible for the big Dance. He will be needed much more there than now.
As an armchair coach, I'd limit the BTT minutes (and dings) for Brooks, Livers & Wagner. Smith has been beaten up pretty well recently so I'd also keep an eye on him.
Basically run the sets to regain pre-layoff precision, maintain conditioning and keep the games close.
Great news. Thanks.
Let him rest
Don't play him today regardless
if he's not 100%, let him rest... rather have him at 100% next week than 80% today.
Trusting in the coaching and training staff.
GO BLUE.... .turtle soup is on the menu
The most encouraging thing we could get from this entire BTT, even more than winning the thing, is if we get consistent solid play from Johns. If he can string multiple good games together, that bodes so well for the real dance.
March 12th, 2021 at 11:21 AM ^
Does one game count as "a string?" Or "multiple?" Because ... I'd take one good game from him, at this point.
March 12th, 2021 at 10:09 AM ^
I commented this on another thread, but hey, I'll bring it here, too, because I have heard nothing about Mr. Wagner.
I ASSUME Franz is okay?
He did an interview a couple of days ago. Am I reading too much into the fact that (1) nobody asked him about his injury; and (2) he offered nothing in terms of his health?
Or (3) the fact that he actually DID do an interview, at all?
March 12th, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
Sounds like Eli is in warmups and wearing a brace. Will be interesting to see what the Coaching & Training staff decide to do with him today. Probably not a bad idea to get at least a few minutes playing with the brace in a game.
Either way, I trust the staff and Eli to make the right call. Go Blue!