Spearman update
Saturday came and went without any clear-cut timetable for a return to action for Hawaii senior guard Brandon Spearman.
The tri-captain seems in high spirits considering it was diagnosed as a high ankle sprain during/immediately after the Brigham Young-Hawaii exhibition, when a Seasiders player fell into his legs on the jump ball and he turned his right foot. He tweeted this earlier Saturday. But he’s holding off talking to the media about his injury for now.
UH coach Gib Arnold said in a message Saturday night that the results of Spearman’s MRI on Friday night would not be known until Monday.
Spearman’s return in time for the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic on Friday/Saturday/late night Monday would seem unlikely, but remember that in February and March, Spearman rehabbed hard and beat the projected timetable by a mile for getting back from his sprained left ankle. He played in the CIT game to end the year, to the surprise of many (and to the shock of others who had already called it a season at that point).
More to write when there’s more to know.
Wait till Monday for sure. I am guessing, if Brandon Spearman has more severe ligament damage, he might be out weeks, maybe months. Maybe, we have to wait for official word. In the meantime, when Gib starts up practices again on Monday, he should look for a 3 man to replace Spearman in the starting rotation. It seemed like Aaron Valdes did a lot of hustle stuff for the first 5, rebounds, steals, getting and running, made some nice in close hoops, dunks, and some assists. He might be a great choice. Valdes, Hackman, Harper, Jawato, can all probably play the 3, if they play D. and can run O sets. A kind of blessing , although injuries, especially to poor Spearman who waited over 6 months for this season, his senior season to begin, If Brandon S, is out for awhile, even if UH is to lose some games because of his loss, at least Gib can develop the freshmen, and sophomore Jawato, to work the 3 spot, The more young guys with experience, the better, in my opinion for BWC tourney play time. Hopefully, all the guys are healthy and UH is playing extremely well by Feb, and early March!
Any updates yet
Spearman shot around today and didn’t seem to be limping. Arnold said the MRI confirmed a high ankle sprain, so you’d expect he’s out at least a couple weeks, but we’ll see. Spearman himself didn’t want to comment yet and Gib did not provide a firm timetable on his return. It seems pretty obvious at this point that he’ll be out for the Rainbow Classic.