Reggie Johnson grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C., and dreamed of some day playing for Wake Forest, which is why he will likely ignore a sore right knee and start at center for the University of Miami on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Demon Deacons.
Johnson and starting guard Durand Scott each tweaked a knee in the game against North Carolina on Wednesday night, and coach Jim Larranaga said their status will be a game-day decision. Johnson is listed as ?available? and Scott is ?questionable.?
Both players missed Friday?s practice. ?We?re going to see how things go and not make any decision until we?re pretty sure how they?re feeling [Saturday],? Larranaga said.
Johnson injured his right knee, the one that was surgically repaired last summer. He missed six months while rehabbing, and is averaging 11.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg since his return in December.
Johnson has played particularly well against teams from his home state, and admits a big reason is that they overlooked him coming out of high school. He scored a career-high 27 points with 12 rebounds at Duke a few weeks ago, had 20 points and 14 rebounds against N.C. State last year and 25 points against Wake Forest.
?I definitely feel I have more to prove when I play North Carolina schools,? he said. ?Everyone I know follows those teams, so those games mean a lot to me.?
? UM drew a crowd of 7,000-plus, biggest of the season, against the Tar Heels. All 1,500 student tickets were used. Larranaga said if the same number show up Saturday, he?ll be ?pleased as punch.?
Johnson and starting guard Durand Scott each tweaked a knee in the game against North Carolina on Wednesday night, and coach Jim Larranaga said their status will be a game-day decision. Johnson is listed as ?available? and Scott is ?questionable.?
Both players missed Friday?s practice. ?We?re going to see how things go and not make any decision until we?re pretty sure how they?re feeling [Saturday],? Larranaga said.
Johnson injured his right knee, the one that was surgically repaired last summer. He missed six months while rehabbing, and is averaging 11.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg since his return in December.
Johnson has played particularly well against teams from his home state, and admits a big reason is that they overlooked him coming out of high school. He scored a career-high 27 points with 12 rebounds at Duke a few weeks ago, had 20 points and 14 rebounds against N.C. State last year and 25 points against Wake Forest.
?I definitely feel I have more to prove when I play North Carolina schools,? he said. ?Everyone I know follows those teams, so those games mean a lot to me.?
? UM drew a crowd of 7,000-plus, biggest of the season, against the Tar Heels. All 1,500 student tickets were used. Larranaga said if the same number show up Saturday, he?ll be ?pleased as punch.?
