Lawrence fractures left foot
The guard's injury closely follows another player's pre-season fracture.
Published Nov. 3, 2006
Much publicized guard Keon Lawrence's MU debut will be delayed 4-6 weeks with a left foot fracture. The injury comes shortly after forward Glen Dandridge fractured a bone in his right foot Oct. 15.
The team takes the floor tonight for an exhibition game against Missouri-Rolla, and coach Mike Anderson said Lawrence's injury will give some of his other guards more playing time, including senior Marcus Watkins and freshman J.T. Tiller.
"J.T. has been a winner everywhere he's been," Anderson said.
Lawrence was at practice Thursday wearing his full practice uniform, with a foot cast he said would be removed Friday.
He has been working out on stationary bikes, on a treadmill and in the swimming pool for his rehab exercises. On Thursday, he was able to shoot, mainly free throws, of which he missed very few.
"I don't have to change my rhythm," Lawrence said of shooting with the cast.
As for a target date of return, Lawrence didn't have one.
"I'm just going to see when I can go," he said.
Watkins and Tiller are treating the possibility of added playing time like any other time they get on the floor.
"We're just trying to win," Watkins said, adding that this playing time will be like any other. Tiller had similar feelings.
"It's just showing that I have to step up more," he said.
Even with two foot injuries in such a close span, the team is not changing any part of its training regimen. Anderson said the injuries are a part of basketball.
Tiller also wasn't worried, saying that excess caution can sometimes lead to injury.
"I'm just trying to do what I've been doing," he said.