Wednesday, December 19, 2001
[ UH BASKETBALL ]
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Broken, wired-shut His jaw is wired shut, but it hasn't stopped Ryan Sidney from speaking loudly with his game. The sophomore guard for No. 10 Boston College is averaging 17.8 points and earning countless brownie points for his toughness.
jaw does
Sidney’s talking
The tough-as-nails Boston College
guard is a big reason the
Eagles are unbeatenBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin
The 6-foot-2 Sidney had his jaw broken in a freak collision with 6-8 Brian Ross during the team's practice on Dec. 6. That night, Sidney had his jaw wired shut; the next day, he was back at practice.
It's the same injury that sidelined Boston Celtics guard Kenny Anderson for 16 games last season. But Sidney didn't miss a beat ... or a game; on Dec. 8, he played 36 minutes against UMass, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the year.
Sidney is audible, even through the metal wire, the wax and the rubber bands in his mouth.
"I'm just a warrior," Sidney said after yesterday's practice at UH. "There's no reason to stop playing. This is our job, it's how we get to go to school for free.
"The worst part is not being able to eat. I take a lot of protein shakes, trying to keep up my weight and stamina. But I lost 15 pounds that first week."
The wires are scheduled to be cut on Jan. 3. By then, Sidney is expecting the Eagles to be 13-0, as per his preseason prediction that the team would be undefeated until at least the beginning of January.
For that to come true, B.C. would have to run the table at the 38th Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic as well as knock off host Seton Hall in a New Year's Eve game. The Eagles (9-0) face Miami (Ohio) in tomorrow's 5 p.m. contest.
"It's not that I promised we weren't going to lose, but I said, looking at the schedule, that we shouldn't lose until at least January," said Sidney, who was the only reserve to average double-digit points in the Big East last season. "We're approaching this tournament like we do every game, playing it one game at a time.
"It's not that we 'expect' to be in the championship. We expect to play well and if playing well is going to get you there, then that's what it takes."
What it's taken to keep the Eagles unbeaten so far is a balanced attack that has picked up where last year's 27-5 squad left off. This year's edition is younger but equally talented as the Big East Tournament championship team that finished No. 7, losing to Southern Cal in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Five Eagles have scored 10 or more points so far this season, led by All-American guard Troy Bell. The 6-1 junior, averaging 24.8 points, has scored a combined 100 points in the last three games.
Bell scored a career-high 42 points in BC's 86-81 win over Iowa State, setting a Conte Forum single-game scoring record. He played 40 minutes that game on Dec. 11, just six weeks after having surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee.
"He's my partner in crime," Sidney said of Bell. "Troy is one of the best, if not THE best, point guards in the country, hands down."
Bell returns the compliment.
"Ryan does things most guards don't or can't do, like get you 10 rebounds a game," said Bell, last year's co-Big East Player of the Year. "We do different things and we complement each other well."
Eagles coach Al Skinner is high on his two starting guards, the highest scoring backcourt in the country at a combined 42.6 points a game.
"Troy and Ryan score in different ways," said Skinner, in his fifth year as the Eagles coach. "We have the Big East Player of the Year back in Troy and we've got a special young man in Ryan. Not many would be able to contribute like he has with a broken jaw. He's given that extra effort and shown what kind of young man he is."
This is Boston College's third Rainbow Classic appearance. The Eagles placed fifth in the inaugural event in 1964 and fifth in 1978. Skinner is back for a second time; he brought his Rhode Island team to the Classic in 1995.
The team arrived in Hawaii yesterday morning. When the Eagles left Boston, it was 30 degrees and snowing.
"We're excited about being here," said Skinner. "I'd like to think we'll be OK with the change in climate. From a mental standpoint, I'm sure our players are excited."
What: 38th Rainbow Classic GAMEDAY
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: All night games live, KFVE-TV (Channel 5) and CNN/SI
Radio: All UH games live, 1420-AM
Internet: uhathletics. hawaii.edu/Sportslive/ listen.html
Tickets:
>> Lower level: $68 package, $16 individual
>> Upper level: $52, $12
Wheelchair: $52, $12
>> General admission (day games): $5
>> Parking: $3
TONIGHT'S GAMES
Iona vs. Holy Cross, 5 p.m.
Portland vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m.
TOMORROW'S GAMES
Boston College vs. Miami (Ohio), 5 p.m.
Georgia vs. Arkansas State, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Consolation semifinals, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Championship semifinals, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Seventh place, 11 a.m.
Fifth place, 1:30 p.m.
Third place, 5 p.m.
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii