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SAN FRANCISCO — Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari declared Adou Thiero available for the Razorbacks Sweet 16 showdown with Texas Tech during an appearance on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show Tuesday.
But on Wednesday, Thiero did not participate in the Hogs' practice inside the Chase Center as they prepare to face the Red Raiders in the men's NCAA Tournament.
Calipari said that Thiero, who sustained a hyperextended knee against Missouri on Feb. 22, was experiencing too much pain from Tuesday's practice to work out for a second straight day.
"We'll see tomorrow," Calipari said. "If we had 8-to-10 minutes from him in case of foul trouble, it would help, but we're fine."
More: 'We need him': Why Zvonimir Ivisic is an x-factor for Arkansas basketball in March Madness Sweet 16
More: From 1-6 to Sweet 16: Arkansas overcomes adversity in March Madness win over St. John's
Calipari said Thiero is itching to come back because of his previous experience in March Madness. He's now played a total of 10 minutes in the NCAA Tournament across three different seasons. He wants to be part of the Hogs' run in San Francisco.
"Why would you play? All of a sudden (Thiero) said, 'Coach, I want to try this. Three years I've waited for thismoment, and if I can do it, I'm going to try,'" Calipari said.
Inside the Arkansas locker room Wednesday, Thiero was more optimistic than his head coach, saying the Razorbacks are taking a careful approach with his return.
"Knee's feeling good," Thiero said. "Just a little bit of soreness off of going yesterday, doing the whole practice. Got a little bit sore from that. Trying to stay cautious and get a little bit of treatment on it today."
Thiero had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists against the Tigers on the night he sustained the knee injury, but he appeared to be playing through pain throughout the game and especially in the second half. During the first media timeout after halftime, Thiero struggled to even join his team in a huddle on the bench.
After the game, Calipari said Thiero was dealing with a back injury, but the school officially announced his knee ailment hours before the Feb. 26 home game against Texas.
The Razorbacks are 6-2 without Thiero. Trevon Brazile replaced him in the starting lineup and is averaging 10.6 points and 9.6 rebounds since the switch.
Thiero will be the second Razorback to return from an injury during March Madness. Point guard Boogie Fland played both games in Rhode Island after missing the previous 15 with a thumb injury.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas' Adou Thiero misses practice before Sweet 16 vs Texas Tech
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But on Wednesday, Thiero did not participate in the Hogs' practice inside the Chase Center as they prepare to face the Red Raiders in the men's NCAA Tournament.
Calipari said that Thiero, who sustained a hyperextended knee against Missouri on Feb. 22, was experiencing too much pain from Tuesday's practice to work out for a second straight day.
"We'll see tomorrow," Calipari said. "If we had 8-to-10 minutes from him in case of foul trouble, it would help, but we're fine."
More: 'We need him': Why Zvonimir Ivisic is an x-factor for Arkansas basketball in March Madness Sweet 16
More: From 1-6 to Sweet 16: Arkansas overcomes adversity in March Madness win over St. John's
Calipari said Thiero is itching to come back because of his previous experience in March Madness. He's now played a total of 10 minutes in the NCAA Tournament across three different seasons. He wants to be part of the Hogs' run in San Francisco.
"Why would you play? All of a sudden (Thiero) said, 'Coach, I want to try this. Three years I've waited for thismoment, and if I can do it, I'm going to try,'" Calipari said.
Inside the Arkansas locker room Wednesday, Thiero was more optimistic than his head coach, saying the Razorbacks are taking a careful approach with his return.
"Knee's feeling good," Thiero said. "Just a little bit of soreness off of going yesterday, doing the whole practice. Got a little bit sore from that. Trying to stay cautious and get a little bit of treatment on it today."
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Thiero had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists against the Tigers on the night he sustained the knee injury, but he appeared to be playing through pain throughout the game and especially in the second half. During the first media timeout after halftime, Thiero struggled to even join his team in a huddle on the bench.
After the game, Calipari said Thiero was dealing with a back injury, but the school officially announced his knee ailment hours before the Feb. 26 home game against Texas.
The Razorbacks are 6-2 without Thiero. Trevon Brazile replaced him in the starting lineup and is averaging 10.6 points and 9.6 rebounds since the switch.
Thiero will be the second Razorback to return from an injury during March Madness. Point guard Boogie Fland played both games in Rhode Island after missing the previous 15 with a thumb injury.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas' Adou Thiero misses practice before Sweet 16 vs Texas Tech
Continue reading...
