’Bows await
reevaluation of
Shimonovich’s injuryAn MRI on the center's injured
knee did not reveal a tear, but
his status remains in doubt
The news wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it still might be a few games before Haim Shimonovich is back on the court.
An MRI performed on the Hawaii center's sprained right knee on Monday did not reveal a tear. However, he will be reevaluated today and the senior's status for the rest of the Rainbow Warrior basketball team's current road trip remains in doubt, according to a UH spokesman.
Shimonovich injured the knee in the second half of Hawaii's 62-59 win over Southern Methodist last Saturday. He finished the game and suited up for practice on Sunday. But he wasn't able to complete the workout and did not accompany the Rainbows when they embarked on their road trip Monday morning.
Hawaii plays a Western Athletic Conference game at Boise State today at 4:30 p.m. (Hawaii time). The 'Bows then face No. 20 Southern Illinois in an ESPN Bracket Busters game on Saturday and close the road trip at Texas-El Paso on Monday.
Before leaving on the trip, Hawaii coach Riley Wallace indicated that Shimonovich might rejoin the team after the Boise State game if the injury improved. But he added that there was concern that flying would cause the knee to swell.
The Rainbows entered the week protecting a slim lead in the WAC race at 17-5 overall and 9-3 in the conference.
With Shimonovich's status in doubt, junior forward Jeff Blackett is slated to start with senior Paul Jesinskis and sophomore Milos Zivanovic available to come off the bench.
Wallace said an all-day journey from Honolulu to Boise on Monday might have contributed to a "rough" practice yesterday as the Rainbows adjusted to playing without the 6-foot-10 Shimonovich.
"You lose a lot of size in the middle and you lose depth," Wallace said. "You're kind of limited in what you can do and it makes your rotation a lot different."
Shimonovich leads the WAC in blocked shots with 35 and averages 7.5 points and seven rebounds per game.
It's the second time in as many seasons that Shimonovich has been sidelined by an late-season injury. He suffered a sprained ankle last year, forcing him to miss three games.
