Ike Eke

[Afroman]

I was curious about Ike's status as I never hear much about him.
I know he redshirted last season and had back surgery. Is he practicing? Will he ever play for for Marquette? Since he technically isn't a redshirt this season, why doesn't he at least suit up? Coming into Marquette, I liked his potential a lot.

[MUMonster03]

Still having back issues. If they can get it fixed he could be eligible for a medical redshirt and still have 4 years left. Otherwise I imagine Marquette moves him to an academic scholarship to free his spot back up if it doesn't look like he will ever be able to play at a D1 level.

[Jay Bee]

Still having back issues. If they can get it fixed he could be eligible for a medical redshirt and still have 4 years left. Otherwise I imagine Marquette moves him to an academic scholarship to free his spot back up if it doesn't look like he will ever be able to play at a D1 level.

*Would need a 5 year rule waiver - good candidate based on facts & circumstances, but seems unlikely.

[jsglow]

My sincere hope is that Ike can play next year and slide into the Matt Heldt slot.  But I agree with others.  He's either healthy or not on the team come September 1.

[Warrior1969]

Saw him at the women's game.  Is he able to practice? Do anything? 

[mu03eng]

Saw him at the women's game.  Is he able to practice? Do anything?

No and Yes......I mean I've seen him breathing and walking around

[Bocephys]

No and Yes......I mean I've seen him breathing and walking around

He got the breathing boot off?  Glad to see him making progress.

[Norm]

Ike had surgery again about a month or two back, so he's recuperating from that. It was good to see him on the bench at DePaul.

[BCHoopster]

Wow another surgery, he might need a 3 year redshirt

[jsglow]

No and Yes......I mean I've seen him breathing and walking around

We've seen the same with you but that ain't gettin' you any minutes anytime soon!   

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Ike had surgery again about a month or two back, so he's recuperating from that. It was good to see him on the bench at DePaul.

This isn't new.  He's been on the bench for all home games all year.  I can't say for certain, but since he is not redshirting, I believe he's traveled with the team as well. 

[Norm]

This isn't new.  He's been on the bench for all home games all year.  I can't say for certain, but since he is not redshirting, I believe he's traveled with the team as well.

He didn't travel with the team for a couple games after the surgery so it was good to see him on the road.

[MU82]

If I'm not mistaken, he was celebrating big time with the rest of the players after the final horn sounded vs. Nova. Glad to see he's still so engaged.

[jsglow]

If I'm not mistaken, he was celebrating big time with the rest of the players after the final horn sounded vs. Nova. Glad to see he's still so engaged.

He's all in 82.  During warm-ups you could see him itching to be in there with the guys.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

He typically leads the pregame warmup up circle after introductions and seems to bounce around pretty good.  Does anyone know if he is practicing?

[Nukem2]

This isn't new.  He's been on the bench for all home games all year.  I can't say for certain, but since he is not redshirting, I believe he's traveled with the team as well.

He can travel whether redshirting or not.  It's just transfers that can't travel while sitting out a year.

[Skip Intro]

He's all in 82.  During warm-ups you could see him itching to be in there with the guys.

For both Ike's sake and MU's, you hope that the back issue was enough to hold him out for a majority of the season, but not career-ending.  Couple that with the fact that he'd essentially be the 4th string big this year, letting him sit the entire year (in street clothes, for emphasis) and trying for a medical waiver is a great call.  He could very well be ready to play right now, but even having him suit up for practice might ruin any chance at the waiver.  This way, he at least has a shot to be a contributor for what will seem like the next decade, a la Otule.

[MUMountin]

I really hope he can play next year—he clearly loves the team and being part of it.  And, next year would be the perfect scenario for him to work in as a overgrown freshman—third string big that can get some chances early on and then back up Theo and Ed when there is foul trouble.  Would then be able to share those minutes with Theo after Ed graduates before taking over in his third year.  Lots of time to develop.

That said, it has also sounded like the injury may be one of those things he never shakes.  If he isn't able to participate this spring or summer, then it may be time to move on.  I hope the school takes care of him and that he could keep a role with the team (super manager?).

If the latter, then I would hope that Wojo would find a transfer big to take his place.  Might be a little thin in the middle in games where Theo and Ed have foul trouble, but I think we could manage and play 'small' at times with the hausers at the 4/5 and bailey or Cain at the 3.  The year after, though, we'd need someone to back Theo up. 

[manny31]

*Would need a 5 year rule waiver - good candidate based on facts & circumstances, but seems unlikely.

I'm curious, why do you say he is a good candidate based on facts and circumstances but that it seems unlikely?
Probably not published guidelines right? I mean back surgery seems like a legit thing not some attempt at a second red-shirt.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

He can travel whether redshirting or not.  It's just transfers that can't travel while sitting out a year.

Right.  Because a regular red shirt like what Sacar did as a sophomore and Greg is in the process of doing right now isn't a red shirt until the season is over. 

[MU Buff]

I'm curious, why do you say he is a good candidate based on facts and circumstances but that it seems unlikely?
Probably not published guidelines right? I mean back surgery seems like a legit thing not some attempt at a second red-shirt.

I think Jay Bee means that although he would probably get a 5 year rule waiver, Ike is unlikely to be healthy enough that it will matter. At least that's the way I'm reading it.

[Markusquette]

What exactly is his back issue? If I remember correctly if happened before he even came to MU. Would be nice to have him as part of the team next year.

[jesmu84]

2 spine surgeries in 2 years for a teenager does not indicate a good prognosis

[NorthernDancerColt]

If I'm not mistaken, he was celebrating big time with the rest of the players after the final horn sounded vs. Nova. Glad to see he's still so engaged.

He looked really energetic at last night's game at Wintrust as well.

[Jay Bee]

I think Jay Bee means that although he would probably get a 5 year rule waiver, Ike is unlikely to be healthy enough that it will matter. At least that's the way I'm reading it.

Exactly. His history and current medical status makes him almost a plain vanilla, easy-to-get 5-year-rule waiver candidate.. but the idea of him playing college basketball four seasons from now seems like a stretch... also based on his history and current medical status.