Marquette coach Shaka Smart updates injury status of Tyler Kolek and others for March Madness
Shaka Smart knows that the health of the Marquette men's basketball team is the most pressing issue over the next few days.
The Golden Eagles open the NCAA Tournament against Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. Milwaukee time on Friday in Indianapolis.
Smart gave an update on his banged-up roster at The Mecca Sports Bar and Grill during MU's Selection Sunday watch party.
Will Tyler Kolek play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?
Kolek suffered an oblique injury against Providence on Feb. 28, and has missed six straight games. He has been practicing some with the team in the past week.
"The plan is for him to play," Smart said. "But he's got to go through a progression this week. And so once we get back on the practice court, we'll be able to continue that progression."
What about injuries to Oso Ighodaro and Stevie Mitchell?
MU big man Oso Ighodaro didn't play the final 7 minutes of the Big East championship game after banging his left knee.
Golden Eagles guard Stevie Mitchell played through a painful injury to his left shoulder.
"You're going to have to cut their leg off to not play," Smart said. "They'll be out there."
How will Shaka Smart get Golden Eagles physically ready to play?
Other Golden Eagles are also hurting, including Chase Ross with a nagging leg injury.
Smart has to balance preparing his team and also making sure his players' bodies get some rest.
"We're coaching a team and we're also coaching individuals," Smart said. "And so not everybody is in the same position, body-wise.
"Some of our guys were in the gym already today. It's an off-day, so there are no workouts. But some of guys (like Ighodaro and Mitchell), they need significant rest. Any time you play three hard-fought games in three consecutive nights ... they were late nights, not a lot of sleep. So there's a need for rejuvenation.
"The guys that played heavy minutes, they'll be off again tomorrow. And then on Tuesday, our whole team will come together and get back into full practice."
How will playing on Friday in Indianapolis help?
The Golden Eagles will get another day between games with the Friday tip-off in Indianapolis.
"To be honest, the best part about it is for the guys that played this last weekend, and for Tyler, it's just another 24 hours to get ourselves where we want to be when the ball goes up in the air," Smart said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette head coach Shaka Smart gives injury update on Tyler Kolek
