Gardner played

[tower912]

OK, he was limping.   Now he gets to rest a few days.   Hopefully, he continues to heal so that he can be a factor.   I worry about him playing games on back to back days next week. 

[downtown85]

Worrying about back to back games is a nice worry to have.  I hope we have to worry about 3 back-to-back games next week. 

Buzz in the post game presser said he is at about 80%.  Pretty good result for playing 15 minutes at 80%-- 8 pts and 8 rebounds.   

[tower912]

It's not like his game is predicated on speed or leaping anyway.....

[downtown85]

What I like is that he wasn't easily exploited when he was on defense.  That may be because JTIII may not have game planned for him.  Going forward, it may be different. 

[thanooj]

He was obviously favoring the knee.  Because of it he seemed to have a hard time establishing position.  But so what.  8 pts, 8 rebounds.  And he can still draw fouls.  I love the guy.  And the big Sheesh got a ton of love from the student section.  (and no 'automatic' chant.)

Get better big Sheesh

[strotty]

To me, the biggest thing was that Gardner did NOT have a brace on. That says that the team feels comfortable enough to run him out there against one of the biggest front courts in the country without any help stabilizing the knee. I'm not a doctor, don't even play one on TV, but that has to says something.

[mr.MUskie]

To me, the biggest thing was that Gardner did NOT have a brace on. That says that the team feels comfortable enough to run him out there against one of the biggest front courts in the country without any help stabilizing the knee. I'm not a doctor, don't even play one on TV, but that has to says something.

Great, they feel that his knee is strong enough to not have a brace.  But why not put one on him anyway?  As mentioned earlier, his game isn't about speed and jumping.  It's not like a brace is going to slow him up or change his game, but it may keep him from coming down awkwardly and doing some serious damage.  Seems like a bit of upside with no downside.

[Mutaman]

I was amazed at how good his conditioning was. And he just came in and attacked the basket, the same way he has since he first stepped on the court. A very underrated player.

[MUDPT]

Great, they feel that his knee is strong enough to not have a brace.  But why not put one on him anyway?  As mentioned earlier, his game isn't about speed and jumping.  It's not like a brace is going to slow him up or change his game, but it may keep him from coming down awkwardly and doing some serious damage.  Seems like a bit of upside with no downside.

Evidence says that most knee braces don't work in preventing an injury what so ever.  Davante didn't look great. I thought he looked better as he warmed up and that bike may need to be in use to keep him warm.

[warriorchick]

Evidence says that most knee braces don't work in preventing an injury what so ever.  Davante didn't look great. I thought he looked better as he warmed up and that bike may need to be in use to keep him warm.

Actually, I thought it didn't take long for him to look pretty winded.  And did anyone else notice that for a fairly long stretch, he looked at the bench at every stoppage of play, like he was hoping he was going to get switched out?

[4everwarriors]

Thought he played the drama queen role real well.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

Had 8 rebounds in 9 minutes of play in the 1st.....on a bum leg and without JUMPING! He's gonna fill the box score next year. 

[jsglow]

Actually, I thought it didn't take long for him to look pretty winded.  And did anyone else notice that for a fairly long stretch, he looked at the bench at every stoppage of play, like he was hoping he was going to get switched out?

And Buzz would have none of it at the end of the first half.  It was like, "Big fella, time to take the pain and push yourself."

[MUMac]

My favorite scene was when DG came out the first time.  Going down the bench and giving 5's (yes, everyone returned one), Todd Smith comes screaming out of his chair and emphatically embraces DG.  You could tell Todd was congratulating him for the time he put into his recovery.

I really love watching Todd during the games.  Really intense and another coach at times.  You can tell he has ownership in the program.

[StillWarriors]

What I like is that he wasn't easily exploited when he was on defense.  That may be because JTIII may not have game planned for him.  Going forward, it may be different. 

Seemed to me they tried to go after him, but he was able to hold his own down there despite having no mobility. 8 boards with no ability to move is pretty darn impressive.

[hairy worthen]

Thought he played the drama queen role real well.

thats what i thought

[Wade for President]

My favorite scene was when DG came out the first time.  Going down the bench and giving 5's (yes, everyone returned one), Todd Smith comes screaming out of his chair and emphatically embraces DG.  You could tell Todd was congratulating him for the time he put into his recovery.

I really love watching Todd during the games.  Really intense and another coach at times.  You can tell he has ownership in the program.

Love what Todd Smith does for the program.

[wiscwarrior]

thats what i thought

I'm curious and naive, what do you mean by his playing a drama queen?

[karavotsos]

How can you not love Gardner?  The guy is a pig in s--t on the low block.
I have underrated his rebounding, but after watching this and then watching him play he seems to get a lot of rebounds like this.

http://tlorc.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/pittsburgh-allows-a-critical-offensive-rebound-late-against-marquette/

From what I saw he was pretty much on one leg today, especially after his first 4-5 minutes of action.  Still he was effective.  G'Town paid a lot of attention to him when he got the ball on the low post.  The way they double-teamed on his catches, I think they had to be prepared for him to play.  He got at least his first four points off offensive rebounds.  He frustrated the hell out of Sims.  Just a joy to watch. 

[Dawson Rental]

I'm curious and naive, what do you mean by his playing a drama queen?

I believe that that comment was in reaction to the following post:

"And did anyone else notice that for a fairly long stretch, he looked at the bench at every stoppage of play, like he was hoping he was going to get switched out?"

[Dawson Rental]

Actually, I thought it didn't take long for him to look pretty winded.  And did anyone else notice that for a fairly long stretch, he looked at the bench at every stoppage of play, like he was hoping he was going to get switched out?

Every once in a while one of your posts suggests to me that you're experienced at watching the players up close.

[warriorchick]

Every once in a while one of your posts suggests to me that you're experienced at watching the players up close.

I am not exactly sure what you mean by that remark.  Seriously, clarify it for me.