Freddie Jackson wants to play Wednesday at College of Charleston, but the UNCW men?s basketball team may have to figure out how to replace its leading scorer.
Jackson suffered a sprained left ankle Saturday when he stepped on the foot of Hofstra forward Rokas Gustys battling for a rebound. Although the senior guard returned to the court and helped the Seahawks close out a road win after getting his ankle taped, it?s still an issue.
Jackson was in a black walking boot Monday and didn?t plan to practice. Coach Kevin Keatts said he?ll be a game-time decision against the Cougars.
?I feel OK,? Jackson said. ?It?s coming along. Getting a lot of treatment done on it, a lot of ice. It?s feeling good for the most part.?
Keatts said he?ll take his cues from trainer Drew Moore, but he wants to be careful with Jackson. Forward Dylan Sherwood initially played through a similar injury early in the season and then ended up missing two weeks when he aggravated it.
?You know me,? Keatts said. ?I just want to make sure he?s healthy enough to play and contribute. I never want to put him out there in a situation where I don?t think he?s healthy enough to contribute or (could) do more damage to himself.?
UNCW appears to have dodged season-altering trouble. Jackson feared the worst when he crumpled along the baseline. (?It felt like I did something real serious,? he said Monday. ?It was hurting real bad.?)
If Jackson does sit for a game or two, he?ll leave a massive void in a thin UNCW lineup. He has emerged as a hometown star for the Seahawks this season.
The New Hanover graduate is fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association at 15.5 points per game. He?s already scored more points than all of last season. He?s also tied for 10th in rebounding at 5.8 points per game and second in minutes played at 37.4 per game.
UNCW would likely insert Cedrick Williams back into the starting lineup and need more minutes from reserves Sherwood, Chuck Ogbodo and Malik Pugh to offset the loss.
?It certainly would (be difficult),? Keatts said. ?He?s a guy who?s played the bulk of minutes for us. We?ll be a different Seahawk team, but obviously if he doesn?t play, somebody else has to step up.?
Jackson suffered a sprained left ankle Saturday when he stepped on the foot of Hofstra forward Rokas Gustys battling for a rebound. Although the senior guard returned to the court and helped the Seahawks close out a road win after getting his ankle taped, it?s still an issue.
Jackson was in a black walking boot Monday and didn?t plan to practice. Coach Kevin Keatts said he?ll be a game-time decision against the Cougars.
?I feel OK,? Jackson said. ?It?s coming along. Getting a lot of treatment done on it, a lot of ice. It?s feeling good for the most part.?
Keatts said he?ll take his cues from trainer Drew Moore, but he wants to be careful with Jackson. Forward Dylan Sherwood initially played through a similar injury early in the season and then ended up missing two weeks when he aggravated it.
?You know me,? Keatts said. ?I just want to make sure he?s healthy enough to play and contribute. I never want to put him out there in a situation where I don?t think he?s healthy enough to contribute or (could) do more damage to himself.?
UNCW appears to have dodged season-altering trouble. Jackson feared the worst when he crumpled along the baseline. (?It felt like I did something real serious,? he said Monday. ?It was hurting real bad.?)
If Jackson does sit for a game or two, he?ll leave a massive void in a thin UNCW lineup. He has emerged as a hometown star for the Seahawks this season.
The New Hanover graduate is fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association at 15.5 points per game. He?s already scored more points than all of last season. He?s also tied for 10th in rebounding at 5.8 points per game and second in minutes played at 37.4 per game.
UNCW would likely insert Cedrick Williams back into the starting lineup and need more minutes from reserves Sherwood, Chuck Ogbodo and Malik Pugh to offset the loss.
?It certainly would (be difficult),? Keatts said. ?He?s a guy who?s played the bulk of minutes for us. We?ll be a different Seahawk team, but obviously if he doesn?t play, somebody else has to step up.?
