As expected, several starters weren't full participants today (Jordan Roos, Evan Panfil, Markell Jones, Matt McCann). But one unexpected injury note: Ja'Whaun Bentley hardly could walk.
Bentley hurt his left ankle Saturday and missed a couple series but re-entered the game. On Monday, Darrell Hazell called Bentley's injury a "very minor sprain." It did not look like it Tuesday. We'll keep a close eye on him Wednesday, too. I don't expect him to miss the Illinois game for a couple reasons: 1, it's Bentley and he doesn't miss unless he has, like, a torn ACL; 2, he came back in and played on it Saturday.
If Bentley doesn't play, though, not sure who would get the snaps instead alongside Markus Bailey. Danny Ezechuwku appeared to struggle against Maryland, and there was a point during Tuesday's practice that Andy Garcia was with the 1s. Oft-injured Jimmy Herman probably isn't the solution. Not sure coaches think he's tough enough. There was a moment Tuesday when he may have tweaked a hamstring or something, so he limped off and Ross Els flipped out on him, telling him, "Get back in there, 2-9! You can't be happy being out!" Coaches will pass him by pretty quickly — and it may have already happened — because of that. As a senior, I think they want to see him want it more. There's no doubt about that with Garcia, who is undersized and not the most talented guy but has a huge heart and plays as hard as he can every snap. Sometimes that's more important. Shoot, at this point, maybe the most important thing is playing guys who know what they're doing and don't get out of gaps, even if they're less talented.
Bentley hurt his left ankle Saturday and missed a couple series but re-entered the game. On Monday, Darrell Hazell called Bentley's injury a "very minor sprain." It did not look like it Tuesday. We'll keep a close eye on him Wednesday, too. I don't expect him to miss the Illinois game for a couple reasons: 1, it's Bentley and he doesn't miss unless he has, like, a torn ACL; 2, he came back in and played on it Saturday.
If Bentley doesn't play, though, not sure who would get the snaps instead alongside Markus Bailey. Danny Ezechuwku appeared to struggle against Maryland, and there was a point during Tuesday's practice that Andy Garcia was with the 1s. Oft-injured Jimmy Herman probably isn't the solution. Not sure coaches think he's tough enough. There was a moment Tuesday when he may have tweaked a hamstring or something, so he limped off and Ross Els flipped out on him, telling him, "Get back in there, 2-9! You can't be happy being out!" Coaches will pass him by pretty quickly — and it may have already happened — because of that. As a senior, I think they want to see him want it more. There's no doubt about that with Garcia, who is undersized and not the most talented guy but has a huge heart and plays as hard as he can every snap. Sometimes that's more important. Shoot, at this point, maybe the most important thing is playing guys who know what they're doing and don't get out of gaps, even if they're less talented.
