I hate to see people get hurt, but this will help us out when we go to DC and if we have to play them in the A-10 tourney.
Mensah-Bonsu was GW’s 2nd leading scorer.
What happened?
SI says Mensah-Bonsu means whale-killer in his native tongue.
[QUOTE=stonecoldken;156566]What happened?
[/QUOTE]
Slight tear in the cartilage of his left knee
that really dampers their chances for the rest of the season.
He could return for the conference tourney, but more than likely would not be 100%
He was their 2nd leading scorer, but you have to remember they have 5 guys averaging over 10 pts a game and none averaging over 15 points a game. Even though Pops could score, so can Pinnock, Hall, Elliot, and Rice (who dropped 21 on us last time). I think the big loss is Pop’s big body and ability to alter and contest shots. Should be intresting to see how they will play Withers now.
[QUOTE=49erWhit;156568]Slight tear in the cartilage of his left knee[/QUOTE]
What kind of cartilage tear? Artheroscopic surgery could have him back at close to 100 % by the tournament, if not before, depending on if anything other than the cartilage is affected. Even if the meniscus is also slightly torn, he could still be back in time for the tourney.
He could return for the conference tourney, but more than likely would not be 100%
He’d return just in time to face us in the tourney and drop 40 on us.
[QUOTE=MKNiner;156573]He’d return just in time to face us in the tourney and drop 40 on us.[/QUOTE]
No doubt, no doubt.
This will definitely tell us a lot about the mental toughness of GW. They’re good enough to keep on winning, but will they? Hrm.
GW is better without Pops. If you’ve watched them play much this year they always rally when Pops isn’t on the floor.
For example, vs Maryland early in the season, he fouls out with a significant amount of time left (6:00 I think) and then GW really started to roll. This is not good for us. We are going to need some serious 3-pt defense when we head up to the Smith center.
Pops was out the [I]whole [/I]second half last night vs. the Explorers, and that’s when GW turned on the pressure and began to win. After the game vs La Salle, Giannini said that that GW was clearly better without Pops. Instead of trying to force feed it inside, the rest of the team did what it does best, find open shots on the perimeter and hit them. SI ranked GWs backcourt one of the best in the nation for a reason.
This only makes the Colonials more dangerous in my opinion.
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/FONT]
Tomorrow’s story already posted online…
[B]GW’s Mensah-Bonsu Is Out for 2 Weeks
Instrumental Forward for No. 6 Colonials Has Slight Cartilage Tear in Knee[/B]
[I]By Steven Goff, Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 24, 2006; Page E07[/I]
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, George Washington’s most influential player during this near-perfect basketball season, will be sidelined for two weeks after slightly tearing meniscus in his left knee during Wednesday’s victory over La Salle, Coach Karl Hobbs said yesterday.
Under that time frame, the London-born senior forward would be back in time for the NCAA tournament, which will begin March 16. However, he will undergo further evaluation today to determine whether the injury will require surgery, a diagnosis that could extend his recovery time.
At 6 feet 9, Mensah-Bonsu is averaging 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 57 percent from the field for the Colonials (23-1, 13-0 Atlantic 10), who have won a program-record 15 consecutive games and are enjoying their best season in school history.
“We’re going to continue to play the way we have been,” Hobbs said following practice at Smith Center. “It’s a great opportunity for some guys to step up, and I think they will. I think they will respond to the challenge.”
Mensah-Bonsu was injured in the final minute of the first half while the Colonials had possession. He limped directly to the bench and did not return in the second half. In his absence, the Colonials shot 58 percent and overcame a seven-point deficit to record a 77-65 victory.
Alex Kireev, a 6-11 senior averaging just 6.4 minutes and 2.3 points per game, is GW’s backup low-post player. He had six points on 3-of-4 shooting in seven minutes Wednesday.
But Hobbs might turn to a smaller starting lineup for tomorrow’s game at Fordham, with junior forward Regis Koundjia (career-high 13 points vs. La Salle) and sophomore guard Maureece Rice the top alternatives. Freshman forward Rob Diggs will also probably play more extensively.
In addition to Mensah-Bonsu’s absence, the Colonials are without freshman forward Montrell McDonald, who was suspended indefinitely last week for violating unspecified team rules.
“I think the guys are confident, but they’re also realistic knowing that [Mensah-Bonsu] is a terrific basketball player and he is a guy that can just change games for us,” Hobbs said. "That’s going to be the thing that we’ll miss most.
“I think what we’re going to need to do is get out and play great defense and just not fall behind in games because now we won’t have the guy we can just throw the ball into who can get you those easy baskets. It puts a little more pressure on us offensively.”
The Colonials have three regular season games remaining – at Fordham followed by a trip to Saint Bonaventure on Wednesday and a home showdown against second-place Charlotte on March 4 – before entering the Atlantic 10 tournament March 8-11 in Cincinnati.
Khoundja will just start now. They wont miss anything on offense. Defensively, they may not be as good tho.
For us its good no matter what because that is one less big body to worry about. And one less body to tag Withers down low.
Mr. Bonsu, I’m sorry you’re hurt. It sucks to see anyone injured, especially since health is more important than a game. But, as for our upcoming game against GW…
If surgery is needed, the average recovery time after meniscus surgery is 2 weeks. At least that’s what my doctor told me.
On a negative side, there goes part of the athletic department’s annual cash cow from the dance. They’ll be out a game sooner if he’s not 100%.
I hope it’s not the case. We want GW to be healthy come tournament time to make a nice run (alongside us) in the tournament.
He could easily be back at close to 100% in time for the big dance.
Guys, the injury is not real. The A-10 wants two teams in the NCAA tournament. GW and guess who?
[QUOTE=ninereast;156601] The A-10 wants two teams in the NCAA tournament. GW and guess who?[/QUOTE]
Ummmmmm… Richmond???
Tough break. I hope Pops is back and GW gets a 2 or 3 seed and is sent to Philly for the 1st two rounds and DC for the regionals