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For perspective in terms of healing, last year Tony Parker of the Spurs hurt his hamstring on December 5, missed three games; had limited and not terribly effective duty in two games a week later; missed the next five (two on inactive status); played the next two, including one pretty good game; then sat out another five (four inactive) and did partial duty in two more until he was finally ready to return fully on January 10, which was also his first positive +/- game after the injury.
So Parker was of limited to no value on the court for five weeks, including four after reinjuring himself the first time, and 2 1/2 after a second tweak. The good news is that Parker was 32 at the time, whereas Fred has yet to turn 22 and is likely a faster healer. And the Shockers will be adding Frankamp, who's been practicing with the team for quite a while now, December 12 to help lighten the load on Feed and Ron from then on.
All they have to do is survive Orlando to give FVV 2 1/2 weeks of healing time before St. Louis -- and if he sits that one as well, three weeks before UNLV shows up, after which Frankamp comes along to help.
WSU is enough of a name brand now, as is Fred himself, that the tournament selectors won't overlook his absence this year. Depending on how JR Simon and Taylor play, the damage to WSU's record is unlikely to be crippling, especially when Fred's absence is factored in; and come March -- assuming the coaches and FVV show the proper restraint (admittedly, not always an easy task) -- he'll be fresher than usual when it matters most. They just need to make sure not to wear out Baker. Shamet's situation is a wild card, but whatever time he misses now will also help his freshness later. Meanwhile, more production will be needed from Zach Brown -- time to become a man -- and also from Wessel filling in at the SF.
So Parker was of limited to no value on the court for five weeks, including four after reinjuring himself the first time, and 2 1/2 after a second tweak. The good news is that Parker was 32 at the time, whereas Fred has yet to turn 22 and is likely a faster healer. And the Shockers will be adding Frankamp, who's been practicing with the team for quite a while now, December 12 to help lighten the load on Feed and Ron from then on.
All they have to do is survive Orlando to give FVV 2 1/2 weeks of healing time before St. Louis -- and if he sits that one as well, three weeks before UNLV shows up, after which Frankamp comes along to help.
WSU is enough of a name brand now, as is Fred himself, that the tournament selectors won't overlook his absence this year. Depending on how JR Simon and Taylor play, the damage to WSU's record is unlikely to be crippling, especially when Fred's absence is factored in; and come March -- assuming the coaches and FVV show the proper restraint (admittedly, not always an easy task) -- he'll be fresher than usual when it matters most. They just need to make sure not to wear out Baker. Shamet's situation is a wild card, but whatever time he misses now will also help his freshness later. Meanwhile, more production will be needed from Zach Brown -- time to become a man -- and also from Wessel filling in at the SF.
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