Question: Status Of Luther Head's Hamstring Injury

[oldmanTED]

Writing this thread to inquire from those close to the Illinois scene as to the severity of Luther Head's hamstring injury. Realize that he is listed as probable for the game against Arizona. But, as I understand, it was coach Weber's intention for him to originally draw the assignment of guarding Salim Stoudamire. First, what is the latest pubic information on Head and second, has anything been written or talked about regarding a change in plans on defense. Any information would be helpful. Thanks in advance to anyone who responds and best of luck.

 

[D2bets]

A good question. I would like to know as well. Haven't heard anything new of yet.

 

[TheQuest]

Ted, good to see you are posting, I hope your health is as good as it can be. My best to you.

This is the best I could find on the public perception on Head and his injury:


As a sophomore, Luther Head played with a pain few of us can imagine. Picture yourself a finely tuned athlete and having what they call a “sports hernia,” which is a searing pain in the abdominal muscles that limits flexibility and explosiveness. He played the entire season with this condition before it was adequately addressed in off-season surgery.

So this is a tough kid. Quiet and tough. And the hamstring injury he incurred Monday is not going to keep him out of the lineup Saturday night when Illinois takes on Arizona in the Chicago Regional championship game.

At Friday’s press conference, Head laughed and grinned fromthe podium. But he said fairly little. “I’m OK,” was his first answer when quizzed about his hamstring. “It’s OK,” was his second response. And what have you been doing, Luther? “Just relaxing,” he said, grinning again.

Head has been trainer Al Martindale’s pet patient, undergoing middle-of-the-night treatments of ice, stimulation msaage and trips to the hotel pool. He’s being stretched and nursed along, with all of the focus on keeping him loose and ready for the three games Illinois hopes still await.



Seems like a good portion of the public focus is on the "trash" Hassan Adams was talking about Illinois today. Personally, from watching U of A this year, if you can slow down Salim, you stop the point from which their offense flows. U of A shot 66% from the floor against OSU and still needed some huge shots from Stoudamire to win that game. Not only did he make a good chunk of those shots, but he created alot of open shots b/c OSU had such a difficult time playing him without helping. If you can take that away or slow it down, you are on your way to stopping Arizona.

Could not find anything about Weber changing the matchups, will post if I do.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow.

 

[Cubsmac]

From the Chicago Tribune...Hopefully it helps you some OMT.


Illinois fans shouldn't worry too much about Luther Head's right hamstring injury and the effect it could have on the Illini's NCAA tournament regional final Saturday night against Arizona at Allstate Arena.

Initially, Head gave brief and elusive answers to questions about the injury at a news conference Friday in Rosemont.
How was he feeling?

"It's doing OK," he said.

What kind of treatment did he undergo after playing 33 minutes and scoring 12 points Thursday night in a regional semifinal victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

"It was relaxing," he said sheepishly of the massage and therapy he received from athletic trainers.
When pressed on the matter, Head left no doubt he will play.

"I'm not that bad," Head said. "I'm 100 percent as long as I can run up and down the court and do stuff to help my team. I'm OK no matter what the pain is."

Earlier, he reminded coach Bruce Weber he played with abdominal pain his entire sophomore season because of a pelvic injury that required surgery.

"If I can do that, I can fight through a couple of games," Weber said Head told him.

Head was Illinois' most valuable player from November through January. He leads the team in scoring at 15.6 points per game and no longer finds himself in the shadows of Dee Brown and Deron Williams. He joined them on the all-Big Ten first team, and the Associated Press named him and Brown second-team All-Americans.

Brown said he was unaware the injury was bothering Head in Thursday's game against Wisconsin-Milwaukee until he yelled for him to hustle to the huddle with about seven minutes left in the second half.

"He yelled back, 'I can't,'" Brown said.

Williams said the injury became apparent to him when Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Ed McCants blocked one of Head's shots.

"On a bum hamstring he had 12 points and six assists," Williams said. "That's a pretty good game regardless. You could tell he was not as explosive to the hole. He did get his shot blocked by McCants. That's not typical."

Williams smiled at Head after his last statement, amused by the memory.

Head took the ribbing in stride. But the banter and the laughter underscored Head's good spirits and his eagerness to play.

"I played 33 minutes [against Wisconsin-Milwaukee] so it wasn't that big of a deal," he said. "I was in pain. I got through it, and I'm still looking forward to [Saturday]."
Copyright © 2005, The Chicago Tribune

 

[viking611]

"Normally, he would guard [Arizona guard Salim] Stoudamire," Weber said. "We'll have to see how his leg is, if he can keep up with him."

 

[FairWarning]

On the Score 670 Chicago (Illinois Network), Head is going to play, but no one has any idea how effective or how long he can go for. Head would be the best player to guard Stoudemire if healthy, but hamstring injuries are very tricky. They may have to mix up defenses to confuse Stoudemire. I would look for Stoudemire to try to drive on Head early.

 

[IDENTITY]

OLDMANTED - how many points do you attribute to a key player who is out with an injury? do you simply rework your matchups without that player and determine a new appropriate line? how do you take into consideration players out with injuries when making your wagers?


thank you for your time and attention to this matter, sir. i hope your health is good my friend.

 

[TheQuest]

Ted - I am curious if you have been satisfied enough with the information you have found regarding to Head's injury to make a play on the Illini?

I've been satisfied enough. Despite how well the Wildcats have played recently, I beleive the fundamental matchups are in the favor of the Illini in this game. Good Luck today.

 

[Dante]

thats why I think ILL balanced talent and Defense that keeps teams around 60 ppg will show up...IMHO..good luck all

 

[jwunderdog]

"He yelled back, 'I can't,'" Brown said."


If that statement is true I would be worried if I were an ILL. Fan. hamstrings don't improve in 48 hrs, ask anyone that has pulled one.

 

[FairWarning]

"He yelled back, 'I can't,'" Brown said."


If that statement is true I would be worried if I were an ILL. Fan. hamstrings don't improve in 48 hrs, ask anyone that has pulled one.

Takes a good month to completely heal. If they were playing Wisconsin, it wouldn't be that big a deal. Playing a guard as quick as Stoudemire, not good.

I also took Arizona over 32.5 1st half. I think Stoudemire will try to get a quick start.

 

[oldmanTED]

First of all, I would like to thank all those who have responded to my request for information regarding Luther Head's hamstring injury and encourage anyone else that has information to please share it with the forum as well. The game is still approximately four hours away. Even last minute information can be crucial.

I will try to answer the questions that have been raised here. First, please note that I did not indicate which side I am shading in this game. With that being said, the reason Head's status is important, in my opinion, is because if he is not 100%, he not only could become a defensive liability to the necessary trapping and quickness that has made the Illini so succcessful, but offensively, his ability to explode to the basket as well as rotate in the very smooth 3 guard offense could be affected as well. It all depends on the extent of the hamstring injury. Also, as many of you no doubt know, a hamstring can pop at any time which would significantly alter the 3 guard set if he is injured during the game. I don't assign points to a key player but rather envision the potential affect of either an absence or limited mobility might have on the play and flow of the game.

I agree with JW, that if he indeed yelled back that he couldn't run, that is significant. How much he has improved since Thursday is anyone's guess at this point, but as the game unfolds, it may become very important.

 

[TheQuest]

Ted - Thanks for the reply. Did not mean to jump the gun in my reply about which way you were leaning, probably more just my hope that you were agreement with my thoughts on how the game would play out

Thanks for your thoughts, best of luck to you whichever way you play (if you do at all) in this game.