bryanz, this is the latest i've seen. not looking too good for the colonels.
Travis Ford?s Colonels return to Clarksville, Tenn., at 8 tonight to face Austin Peay. This is the team?s second meeting on the road with Austin Peay within the last week, and Eastern will have to battle the Governors, as well as its own injuries.
Ford said in addition to the recent loss of forward Michael Haney, his team is now dealing with the possibility of playing without point guard Matt Witt and shooting guard Ben Rushing. Witt injured his shoulder and left hand hustling for a loose ball during Thursday?s regular-season finale at Austin Peay. His shooting hand was swollen on the trip back to Richmond, and Ford said that had not changed much as of Monday afternoon, describing Witt?s condition as ?very questionable.?
Rushing, who has battled injuries to his leg most of the season, suffered a concussion during practice Sunday, and senior guard Shawn Fields injured his ankle. Ford described Fields? injury as a ?tweeking? of the ankle, but the coach added that things got so bad with the injuries he actually had to stop practice.
Ford remained upbeat, but was also cautious of Austin Peay?s success heading into his first OVC Tournament game at EKU.
?Austin Peay?s having a tremendous year. Any time you can beat a team of Morehead?s caliber twice, that?s big for your team,? Ford said.
The Colonel players are more excited than nervous about the experience, which is a first for each of them. Ford hopes his players learn from the post-season experience and use it in next year?s continued building process.
?This is the opportunity to play an extra game, and maybe more,? Ford said. ?We think we have a chance to be decent next year, and hopefully they?ll remember what this is like.?
Story created Tuesday, March 04, 2003.
