Jan. 10, 2006
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Senior Armein Kirkland started 15 of UC's first 16 games this year. photo/Andrew Higley |
"I just feel so bad for the kid," said Kennedy during a special press conference to discuss the injury today. "I feel bad that he won't have the opportunity to finish this as he deserved."
Kirkland, who tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during UC's 70-59 loss to No. 4-ranked Connecticut Jan. 9, is scheduled for surgery with team physician Angelo Colosimo Jan. 13. Kennedy, who recovered from an ACL tear early in his college basketball career, said he thinks Kirkland can be back in basketball shape in three to five months, and perhaps on schedule to play professionally, if Kirkland chooses that route.
As for the rest of the players, "This team can still achieve its goals," Kennedy said, "but our margin for error certainly got smaller. Our guys are resilient. They really are. They are fighters, and they have toughness, which is the personification of UC basketball."
Playing with a short bench already, Kennedy said he'll next turn to the UC football roster for athletes with basketball experience.
"My concern is that you just run out of bodies," he said. "We are playing in the No. 1 league in the country. Do we have enough bodies just to give our guys a chance?"
UC next plays No. 24 Syracuse at home Jan. 14, then Xavier away Jan. 19.
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