Siena freshman point guard Rakeem Brookins didn?t practice for the third time in four days because of a stomach virus, bringing into question his availability for Friday?s showdown with Fairfield at Times Union Center.
?I don?t know, depending on how he feels tomorrow,? Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said Thursday after practice. ?He?s on medication.?
Brookins, who starts, missed Monday and Tuesday?s workouts because of sickness. He practiced well on Wednesday, according to Buonaguro, but came to the Alumni Recreation Center on Thursday speaking of sinus and throat problems.
?Hammer (trainer Greg Dashnaw) told me (Brookins) just couldn?t go,? Buonaguro said. ?I think he wanted to go, but Hammer thought the best thing would be to rest because we really need him tomorrow.?
Especially against Fairfield sophomore guard Derek Needham, a candidate for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
?We kind of thought that Rahk with his quickness and toughness could match (Needham),? Buonaguro said. ?Plus, it hurts our depth.?
Buonaguro said sophomore guard Jonathan Breeden will make his first career start if Brookins can?t go. Or Brookins could start but play limited minutes with Breeden seeing an increased role.
?I think the last three or four days of practice, (Breeden) been good running the team,? he said. ?I think he?s progressed. I?m pretty confident.?
?I don?t know, depending on how he feels tomorrow,? Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said Thursday after practice. ?He?s on medication.?
Brookins, who starts, missed Monday and Tuesday?s workouts because of sickness. He practiced well on Wednesday, according to Buonaguro, but came to the Alumni Recreation Center on Thursday speaking of sinus and throat problems.
?Hammer (trainer Greg Dashnaw) told me (Brookins) just couldn?t go,? Buonaguro said. ?I think he wanted to go, but Hammer thought the best thing would be to rest because we really need him tomorrow.?
Especially against Fairfield sophomore guard Derek Needham, a candidate for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
?We kind of thought that Rahk with his quickness and toughness could match (Needham),? Buonaguro said. ?Plus, it hurts our depth.?
Buonaguro said sophomore guard Jonathan Breeden will make his first career start if Brookins can?t go. Or Brookins could start but play limited minutes with Breeden seeing an increased role.
?I think the last three or four days of practice, (Breeden) been good running the team,? he said. ?I think he?s progressed. I?m pretty confident.?
