Maybe most consistent on both ends of the court of all the ?others? on the Lobos roster has been Dane Kuiper. The 6-foot-7 small forward has started the past seven games and averaged 8.3 points while also drawing the bulk of tough defensive assignments.
Unfortunately for UNM, Neal announced Monday, Kuiper will miss at least the next two games after suffering a broken nose and being placed in a mandatory 10-day concussion protocol after showing symptoms of a concussion Sunday morning after a collision in Saturday?s Nevada loss.
Kuiper ran into a Wolf Pack player?s shoulder on a screen early in the second half on Saturday, left the game to have his nose set back in place and was cleared to play. He didn?t show symptoms during the game or after, but did upon a follow up exam on Sunday. He will miss at least Wednesday?s game and Saturday vs. San Jose State. His status for the Feb. 8 game at Air Force is uncertain.
?It hurts a lot because that?s your starting forward who has been playing pretty good,? Neal said, adding former starter Sam Logwood will likely get the bulk of Kuiper?s minutes.
?Sam?s going to get an opportunity because Dane?s out 10 days.?
Kuiper is the third Lobo to miss time this season under the school?s concussion protocol program. Tim Williams in December and MacDougall earlier this month each missed 10-plus days of games and practices.
?We?ve got to take care of our student athletes,? Neal said, ?but that?s a big deal losing 30 days of those guys.?
OTHER INJURIES: Leading scorers Elijah Brown and Tim Williams were held out of Monday?s practice as a precaution. Both have played a lot of minutes in recent weeks. Williams even wore a walking boot on his left foot, an injury that has been lingering for weeks but hasn?t led to his missing any game time.
Unfortunately for UNM, Neal announced Monday, Kuiper will miss at least the next two games after suffering a broken nose and being placed in a mandatory 10-day concussion protocol after showing symptoms of a concussion Sunday morning after a collision in Saturday?s Nevada loss.
Kuiper ran into a Wolf Pack player?s shoulder on a screen early in the second half on Saturday, left the game to have his nose set back in place and was cleared to play. He didn?t show symptoms during the game or after, but did upon a follow up exam on Sunday. He will miss at least Wednesday?s game and Saturday vs. San Jose State. His status for the Feb. 8 game at Air Force is uncertain.
?It hurts a lot because that?s your starting forward who has been playing pretty good,? Neal said, adding former starter Sam Logwood will likely get the bulk of Kuiper?s minutes.
?Sam?s going to get an opportunity because Dane?s out 10 days.?
Kuiper is the third Lobo to miss time this season under the school?s concussion protocol program. Tim Williams in December and MacDougall earlier this month each missed 10-plus days of games and practices.
?We?ve got to take care of our student athletes,? Neal said, ?but that?s a big deal losing 30 days of those guys.?
OTHER INJURIES: Leading scorers Elijah Brown and Tim Williams were held out of Monday?s practice as a precaution. Both have played a lot of minutes in recent weeks. Williams even wore a walking boot on his left foot, an injury that has been lingering for weeks but hasn?t led to his missing any game time.
