MBB injury updates

by Barca Blog

Head coach Kevin Stallings discussed the health of John Jenkins and Andre Walker during last night's call-in show (listen here). Stallings said:

"I'm not trying to throw any curveballs at Mississippi. John practiced (Monday). He actually practiced more than we thought he would. I thought he would get in for just a few minutes and he made it through the entire practice even though we shortened his stints in practice.

"He then stayed for a good while after practice and did some shooting, and some very impressive shooting I might add. I stayed there and watched the whole thing. I told Sam Ferry, our manager, that he has to be the easiest guy to rebound for of all-time because the ball just keeps coming through the net and you never have to chase it.

"Andre did not practice, although his range of motion is coming back. He did some things on the side. I'm hopeful he will be ready by gametime (Thursday).

"John is almost a certainty, and Andre is a little less certain, but we're very hopeful. We're hoping to get (Andre) in practice a little bit Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for the game. If all goes well, then both of them will play."

Jenkins has missed the last two games (stomach illness) while Walker sat out the LSU game (shoulder). The Commodores will next face Ole Miss in Oxford Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT.

Andre Walker update

by Barca Blog

Starting forward Andre Walker missed his first game of the season Saturday after injuring his shoulder during Friday's practice. Kevin Stallings updated the media on Walker's status following Vanderbilt's 77-69 victory over LSU.

“He got banged at the end of practice yesterday," Stallings said. "During the last drill, Steve (Tchiengang) ran into his shoulder. Andre said that it hurt, but it wasn’t a big deal and he finished practice. At game time, he couldn’t lift his arm up to parallel. He had quite a bit of soreness, but said it’s a little looser now than it was before the game.

"I don't think the doctors or trainers think that it’s anything long-term or serious. It's probably just a day or two here to where he's going to have to get the range of motion back.”

Without their "glue guy," the Commodores struggled for much of the day against the Tigers' zone defense. It was just another reminder of how valuable Walker is to the success of this team.

"He's such a passer and facilitator," Stallings added. "He gets it inside the zone and can get it to the rim and convert. He's just another really good ballhandler. He's a very valuable weapon against the zone."

Vanderbilt was also without the services of John Jenkins for the second consecutive game. Jenkins is still recovering from a stomach illness.

The Commodores hope to have both guys back in action for next Thursday's trip to Ole Miss.

On a side note

By A. Boggs -On a side note, Andre Walker was wearing a different number and a different style of practice jersey at the weight lifting session today.  So I asked him about it.

AB: "Did we get new practice gear?  Or did you go out and buy that?  It looks different."

AW:  "Naw, this is Red’s (Alex Gordon) jersey from a few years ago."

AB:  "Serious?  You can fit in that?"

AW:  "Yeah, it’s a little snug, but I can get into it.  He’s knows I have it."

AB: "Okay.  I like it.  It’s got that Oregon thing going on with it with the type on the front."

AW:  "Nice and simple isn’t it?"