Although practice doesn’t officially start for another month, men’s basketball head coach Geno Ford said he is eager to get back to work with the team.
Fans’ excitement of signing top 100 recruit Josh Cunningham has shifted toward nervousness due to the injuries of top players Cunningham, junior Mike Shaw and sophomore Xzavier Taylor.
Despite the injuries, all three of the players are expected to contend for a starting role this season.
Ford said the injured athletes will all be ready to play once practice begins Oct. 3.
“Practice has been affected at a very high level because we have so many new faces and some key parts of that are missing [due to injuries],” Ford said. “The good news is that everyone is expected to be a part of that first practice in October.”
Another key person missing is the lone senior on the team, Auston Barnes. Barnes was arrested in August on a domestic battery charge.
Ford said that no decision has been made regarding Barnes’ future with the team and that the team is conducting its own investigation. Any decision on Barnes will be made before the season starts, according to Ford.
In light of the injuries and off-court matters, Ford said that Shaw has emerged as a team leader, and he praised Shaw for his leadership despite being injured.
“I find it comforting knowing that we have someone that the [players] trust leading the team,” Ford said. “Last year, we didn’t have one single voice because there were many players who voiced opinions, so we’ve tried to narrow the scope, and Mike [Shaw] has embraced this role.”
The Braves also find them- selves playing tough road games this season including back-to- back games at the University of Memphis and Kansas State University (Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, respectively).
Despite the tougher schedule, Ford said that this year’s squad has an opportunity to do great things come February and March.
“It’s our time,” Ford said. “This year’s team has the chance, if they come together, to do some special things.”
