LSU could face challenge of playing without Josh Gray and Tim Quarterman at UAB
Tests in the classroom came and went over the last week or so for the LSU basketball team. Now the Tigers may take the court free of finals week facing their toughest test so far.
LSU guards Josh Gray and Tim Quarterman missed practice Tuesday and were questionable for the team's workout . Both went through extensive treatment.
Tigers coach Johnny Jones said he is preparing his team for a road game on Thursday to play without both play-making guards, although he sounded more optimistic about Quarterman.
"We may be a little bit hampered because of injuries, and it may cause us to shuffle our lineup a little bit and put us in a different position," Jones said Tuesday.
"At certain times this year, we have had adversity or something has been different for us, and our kids have done an excellent job of filling that void and being able to fight through it. We are going to possibly be presented with that same type of challenge on Thursday night."
Jones said either Tim Quarterman or Jalyn Patterson could fill in at point guard for Gray, who sprained his ankle against Sam Houston State on Saturday.
Gray suffered a sprained right ankle on Saturday early in the second half of a 76-67 victory against Sam Houston State, the fourth win in a row for LSU (7-2). He was helped off the court, went back to the locker room and never returned.
Quarterman slid into the point guard with Gray out of action and continued his season-long pattern of playing well. But late in the game he was left doubled over in pain after a collision near midcourt.
Later Tuesday evening, Gray tweeted "The treatment process has been amazing finally out of the boot. As of today I'm walking on my own! My ankle feels great!"
Still, it seems doubtful that the 6-foot-1 junior could be cleared to play against Blazers (8 p.m. | CBS Sports Network).
Even if he can get up and down the floor, Gray's game is predicated on quickness and on-the-ball defense - neither of which is easy on a tender ankle.
Quarterman's availability, on the other hand, might not be as up in the air.
Though he has stayed off his feet, Quarterman -- arguably the Tigers' MVP this season -- didn't appear to suffer any structural damage in the nasty collision.
"Tim got a little bit banged up toward the end of the game. so he's been treated the same as Josh in a sense that both of them have been off, but there's a good chance Tim could be available for us Thursday," Jones said.
Regardless of if Quarterman plays, freshman Jalyn Patterson has been getting valuable minutes as the lead guard in practice for the Tigers the last few days.
The Atlanta-area native played mostly point guard at Montverde Academy for two seasons but is also capable of shifting to the two-guard.
Not as quick as Gray or as big as Quarterman, Patterson at QB would change the Tigers' pace a bit, but Jones seemed eager to see how it would look.
"If we don't have one and Tim's available, he would be the ideal choice for us (at point guard) because of the role that he's played all year," Jones said. "If not, Jalyn Patterson would be the next person that would be in that role for us. He's gotten some spot play in that position for us a little bit this year so far. He would be the ideal person if neither of those guys are capable of going.
Patterson will likely see more playing time against UAB on Thursday due to starting guard Josh Gray's ankle sprain.
"It's a little bit different, probably not as aggressive. He's a good ball-handler, good passer and can get the ball from (point) A to (point) B. He doesn't take a lot of chances; a very capable scorer. He's been in that position before. It just hasn't been at this level for any stretches of time. We're very confident in him and in the role that he may have to play. The only difference is talking about the number of minutes because Jalyn has been injured as well. It's going to depend on the depth and how long he can possibly go and the pace he can possibly go with this team."
Even replacing Gray creates a ripple effect because Quarterman has essentially been the equivalent of two reserves in one because of being capable of filling in at three different spots.
Should neither guard play, Jones said 6-10 wing Jarell Martin would operate more as a two-guard with a combination of Brian Bridgewater, Aaron Epps and Darcy Malone absorbing minutes at Martin's normal spot. Epps hasn't played a minute in the last five games as he has waded through an injury and getting back into condition.
"It's certainly going to present a challenge to us," Jones said. "It's early in the season, and it's just like everything else. It's going to force some other guys to maybe have to play, and when that has occurred, guys have done an excellent job. Bridgewater, Jalyn Patterson, when those guys had to play extended minutes for us, they've done a great job."
Indeed, the Tigers have already experienced filling in gaps.
Quarterman posted 11 points and a team-high four assists in the Tigers' 76-67 defeat of Sam Houston State on Saturday.
Jordan Mickey missed a game against McNeese State and sat out all but the first 1:58 of a road contest at West Virginia with foul trouble.
That has forced the LSU coaches to be creative in practice, even if that hasn't been evident with players logging more game time.
"I feel like they're all pretty good and can all step in and play the game," Mickey said. "I have complete and total confidence in our bench players, in Elbert (Robinson) and Darcy being able to provide some minutes, and even Bridgewater. He's been playing extremely well. I have complete confidence in all of them."
Tests in the classroom came and went over the last week or so for the LSU basketball team. Now the Tigers may take the court free of finals week facing their toughest test so far.
LSU guards Josh Gray and Tim Quarterman missed practice Tuesday and were questionable for the team's workout . Both went through extensive treatment.
Tigers coach Johnny Jones said he is preparing his team for a road game on Thursday to play without both play-making guards, although he sounded more optimistic about Quarterman.
"We may be a little bit hampered because of injuries, and it may cause us to shuffle our lineup a little bit and put us in a different position," Jones said Tuesday.
"At certain times this year, we have had adversity or something has been different for us, and our kids have done an excellent job of filling that void and being able to fight through it. We are going to possibly be presented with that same type of challenge on Thursday night."
Jones said either Tim Quarterman or Jalyn Patterson could fill in at point guard for Gray, who sprained his ankle against Sam Houston State on Saturday.
Gray suffered a sprained right ankle on Saturday early in the second half of a 76-67 victory against Sam Houston State, the fourth win in a row for LSU (7-2). He was helped off the court, went back to the locker room and never returned.
Quarterman slid into the point guard with Gray out of action and continued his season-long pattern of playing well. But late in the game he was left doubled over in pain after a collision near midcourt.
Later Tuesday evening, Gray tweeted "The treatment process has been amazing finally out of the boot. As of today I'm walking on my own! My ankle feels great!"
Still, it seems doubtful that the 6-foot-1 junior could be cleared to play against Blazers (8 p.m. | CBS Sports Network).
Even if he can get up and down the floor, Gray's game is predicated on quickness and on-the-ball defense - neither of which is easy on a tender ankle.
Quarterman's availability, on the other hand, might not be as up in the air.
Though he has stayed off his feet, Quarterman -- arguably the Tigers' MVP this season -- didn't appear to suffer any structural damage in the nasty collision.
"Tim got a little bit banged up toward the end of the game. so he's been treated the same as Josh in a sense that both of them have been off, but there's a good chance Tim could be available for us Thursday," Jones said.
Regardless of if Quarterman plays, freshman Jalyn Patterson has been getting valuable minutes as the lead guard in practice for the Tigers the last few days.
The Atlanta-area native played mostly point guard at Montverde Academy for two seasons but is also capable of shifting to the two-guard.
Not as quick as Gray or as big as Quarterman, Patterson at QB would change the Tigers' pace a bit, but Jones seemed eager to see how it would look.
"If we don't have one and Tim's available, he would be the ideal choice for us (at point guard) because of the role that he's played all year," Jones said. "If not, Jalyn Patterson would be the next person that would be in that role for us. He's gotten some spot play in that position for us a little bit this year so far. He would be the ideal person if neither of those guys are capable of going.
Patterson will likely see more playing time against UAB on Thursday due to starting guard Josh Gray's ankle sprain.
"It's a little bit different, probably not as aggressive. He's a good ball-handler, good passer and can get the ball from (point) A to (point) B. He doesn't take a lot of chances; a very capable scorer. He's been in that position before. It just hasn't been at this level for any stretches of time. We're very confident in him and in the role that he may have to play. The only difference is talking about the number of minutes because Jalyn has been injured as well. It's going to depend on the depth and how long he can possibly go and the pace he can possibly go with this team."
Even replacing Gray creates a ripple effect because Quarterman has essentially been the equivalent of two reserves in one because of being capable of filling in at three different spots.
Should neither guard play, Jones said 6-10 wing Jarell Martin would operate more as a two-guard with a combination of Brian Bridgewater, Aaron Epps and Darcy Malone absorbing minutes at Martin's normal spot. Epps hasn't played a minute in the last five games as he has waded through an injury and getting back into condition.
"It's certainly going to present a challenge to us," Jones said. "It's early in the season, and it's just like everything else. It's going to force some other guys to maybe have to play, and when that has occurred, guys have done an excellent job. Bridgewater, Jalyn Patterson, when those guys had to play extended minutes for us, they've done a great job."
Indeed, the Tigers have already experienced filling in gaps.
Quarterman posted 11 points and a team-high four assists in the Tigers' 76-67 defeat of Sam Houston State on Saturday.
Jordan Mickey missed a game against McNeese State and sat out all but the first 1:58 of a road contest at West Virginia with foul trouble.
That has forced the LSU coaches to be creative in practice, even if that hasn't been evident with players logging more game time.
"I feel like they're all pretty good and can all step in and play the game," Mickey said. "I have complete and total confidence in our bench players, in Elbert (Robinson) and Darcy being able to provide some minutes, and even Bridgewater. He's been playing extremely well. I have complete confidence in all of them."
