Sunday, March 13, 2011
Posted: 10:55 p.m.
By Dave Zeitlin
CSNPhilly.com Contributor
Scootie Randall will play in the NCAA tournamentor at least thats what he says.
During the teams Selection Show party Sunday, Temples injured junior swingman answered yes repeatedly when asked if he would definitely be good to go for the Owls opening game against Penn State on Thursday.
I feel good, said Randall, who hasnt played or practiced since suffering a hairline fracture of his right foot on Feb. 17 vs. Richmond. Coach said to let him know when I felt ready and I think Im able to go out there and play. Im going to practice with the team and get back to working with these guys.
Temple head coach Fran Dunphy didnt sound quite as convinced about Randalls status.
Hes going to run around a little bit tomorrow. The doctor will be there and well just make a decision, Dunphy said. He hasnt practiced since Feb. 17that was his last hard run. He has to weigh that and we have to weigh that. If he can play, well throw him out there and see what he does.
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Prior to the injury, Randall started all 25 games for Temple, averaging 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. The 6-6 swingman was also one of the teams most reliable defensive players.
Without Randall, the Owls have gone 5-2, losing only at Duke and then to Richmond in the Atlantic 10 semifinals Saturday
I never really had an injury in my career, so it was devastating for me and my family, said Randall, a former Philadelphia Public League star at Communications Tech. The guys were just pushing me to stay positive. A major part in keeping me focused was the role I establishedbeing a leader off the court. I had to stay positive for those guys and myself.
Freshman Aaron Brown has started in Randalls absence, and scored 23 points through two games at the A-10 tournament. But hed be happy to step back into a reserve role if Randall returns.
My plan is to help the team wherever Im needed, Brown said. If Scootie comes back, Ill just come off the bench and do what I have to do. Ive tried to fill in the slack for the injured guys and be an engine for the team.
Related: No. 7 seed Owls talk rivalry, eager to play PSURichmond ends Owls' run at fourth straight A-10 title
Email Dave Zeitlin at djzeitlin@gmail.com