Andrew Carr, left, tried to play against Tennessee but lasted only 90 seconds. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Mark Pope knows he faces a dilemma with forward Andrew Carr battling a back injury.
The more he can rest, the better off he will be later in the season. But the more he rests, the harder it will be for Kentucky to win.
Carr didn’t play at Vanderbilt Saturday and Kentucky lost by five points. He was cleared to play at Tennessee Tuesday and tried but lasted only 1 1/2 minutes and did not score. Still, Kentucky found a win to beat No. 8 Tennessee 78-73 and Carr told Pope and Tom Leach as they were doing their postgame radio show that he felt fine
“The last 36 hours have been anguish trying to figure out what to do with Drew,” Pope said on the UK Radio Network. “We don’t want to rush him back and battle this back all season long.
“Every day we can buy him gives us a little more security that he will have some sustainability (to play). He felt good before the game but did not feel great on the court.”
Pope said it was not just the injury that made Carr feel uncomfortable but the fact he had not been practicing and his timing was off. Pope, though, emphasized he was still a “huge part” of Kentucky’s team.
With Carr out along with starting point guard Lamont Butler, it gave freshman Collin Chandler to play 15 minutes. He missed his only shot and had one turnover but he also grabbed two rebounds and handed out one assist in 15 valuable minutes.
He might not have been a defensive stopper but he also was not a defensive liability.
‘Collin had his best night of the season by far and we are starting to see … this kid is incredibly special,” Pope said. “He has just been off two years (from basketball on a mission trip).
“In this environment in this situation against this team in particular to fulfill the defensive assignments he had was incredible. I thought he had a brilliant game.”
6 Responses
If Andrew is not practicing, he doesn’t need to try to play. Back issues can be touchy. He needs to be healthy before taking the floor again. He also needs to develop more confidence in his shot. We need our power forward to shoot and make 3s. Almonor has stepped up and Carr needs to step up too. He can shoot and make 3s and needs to do so when they come his way. Pope ball makes our team better, hero ball doesn’t. We will need Carr to make a run in March. Get healthy, get focused, and be the warrior we need you to be. Last night was a statement game. There will opportunities for many more. Go CATS!!!
I have been wondering why the coach and staff would say a player was ready to play and then say limited PT more related to timing than injury? Huh?? I guess the back injury will continue to be a mysterious. Full disclosure would be much appreciated.
They say that to mess up the other coach. They don’t know what or how to prepare.
Mike, It’s my understand the school are not allowed to give the full disclosure of the injury.
Of all the players that have shot at least 15 3pointers in the SEC, Almonor is number 1 in shooting %.
With Gods help, Coach Pope will figure it out. He has been there, done that. Just stand behind he and the team, if not this year, then next.