[Rosiak's Blog] James to play against Missouri

[ToddRosiakSays]

James to play against Missouri


Mar. 21, 2009 11:48 p.m.  




Boise, Idaho -- In what could only be termed as a stunning development, senior guard Dominic James has been cleared to play this afternoon in the Marquette Golden Eagles’ second-round NCAA tournament game against the Missouri Tigers.

James suffered a broken bone in his left foot on Feb. 25, early in a game against Connecticut, and underwent surgery to have a screw inserted into it two days later.

The injury was initially expected to be season-ending. But over the past week James underwent numerous tests, an individual workout on Friday and then practiced with the Golden Eagles for 90 minutes earlier Saturday.

With no pain in the foot, was given the all-clear to play later Saturday night.

“We’ve talked to some experts in the field, and these cases are known, have happened in elite athletes – college and the pros,” said athletic trainer Ernest Eugene. “He's been very instrumental in all this, obviously. He's been so dedicated being where he's supposed to be every day, doing what he needs to do, and he's surpassed every goal.”

It’s unclear whether James will start, or how many minutes he’ll play, but Eugene said it’s likely he’ll have to be limited some. James will also be playing with a custom-made orthotic in his shoe, in order to help protect the foot.

The news will undoubtedly provide a huge lift for the sixth-seeded Golden Eagles (25-9), who are going to need all the manpower they can muster as they take on the third-seeded Tigers (26-9) at Taco Bell Arena.

James is averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.2 steals on the season. His ability to penetrate the lane, distribute the basketball and defend on the ball has been sorely missed by MU, which is 2-5 since James went down.

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http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/41640937.html

[mviale]

This is crazy - cannot be!

[bamamarquettefan]

OH MY GOD.  This is the most wonderful birthday present of my life.  I had just posted on Cracked Sidewalks, assuming there was no late news, only to realize this had posted just before.  I cannot believe it.  I woke up all night after going to the UConn game hoping the broken foot was a bad dream, and now I will be waking up all night hoping this announcement is NOT a dream.

Go Dominic!  Whether it's 1 minute or 30.

And thanks guys for keeping it under wraps so we never had any hopes up.

[mviale]

Great move by Buzz as this will be a shocker

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Man, I don't mean to rain on our parade but I really really hope this is something they've thought long and hard about. It would be just awful if this were to further aggravate his medical situation.

[Jam Chowder]

Man, I don't mean to rain on our parade but I really really hope this is something they've thought long and hard about. It would be just awful if this were to further aggravate his medical situation.

Who cares?  I'm sure they're looking out for him... even if it's limited minutes, it's huge.  It sends a huge psychological message to a Mizzou team that has been preparing to play a James-less MU.  I hope they're pissing their trousers.

[mr.MUskie]

Anyone check their calendar?  It's not April 1, is it??

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Will he have his head shaved???

[mviale]

That was my first thought - april fools joke.  The strangest thing happened to me during the USU chat - I asked the question: Is there a chance that DJ can come back if we make it to the final four.  No one answered, but I like the outcome.

[Daniel]

Really - I'm waiting for the April 1st thing too - I can't beleive it!  I love it if it's true - he deserves it so much

[THEbig0]

Unbelievable...I guess you can never anticipate how quickly the body of an elite will heal.  And also, his legs might be a little heavy, but his wind shoulnd't be too bad, as there are many ways to exercies the lungs without your legs...so I wouldn't worry about that. 

[StillWarriors]

It sends a huge psychological message to a Mizzou team that has been preparing to play a James-less MU.  I hope they're pissing their trousers.

Let's not go too far....he hasn't played in weeks, but for his sake I couldn't be happier for him. Maybe Wes and McNeal will find their shots too!!! GO WARRIORS!!!

[THEbig0]

Just pulled the following from a report after the surgery...I guess his mom knows him well!!

The timeline for recovery is about 100 days, Marquette coach Buzz Williams said, but James thinks it will be faster:
"He heals fast," Germayne James said.

[Jay Bee]

This is flat out bizarre.  Please tell him, 'no treys'.

[Markusquette]

wow amazing...

[StillWarriors]

IF we can win tomorrow, WITH DJ, we will then in effect be the #3 seed in the South bracket. Right where we may well have ended up before he got hurt. Kind of strange if it happens how it worked out. Now, let's go beat Mizzou!!!

[rocky_warrior]

Just for the record, Germayne is his older brother...

[New Era Warriors]

HOLY SHIZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!! we dacning! bring em on mizzou looking boits!!!!!

[LastWarrior]

HELLZZZZ YEAH!!!!

Win or lose, it the only way for a Warrior to go out!!!!

[94Warrior]

Let's not go too far....he hasn't played in weeks, but for his sake I couldn't be happier for him. Maybe Wes and McNeal will find their shots too!!! GO WARRIORS!!!

If his hoops game is anything like my golf game, I expect to see him at his best.  It never fails, each year I play my best round of golf my first time out in the spring.

I say we throw the backdoor lob to DJ (shaved head, crutches, headband, boot and all) the first time downcourt.  How awesome would that be?   

[ATWizJr]

Un-friggin'-believable.  You go Dom!  A true Warrior!