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Bucs' Smith likely to sit two more games
By Joe AventoPress Sports Writer
javento@johnsoncitypress.comLOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mike Smith spent another game on the bench watching his East Tennessee State teammates on Saturday, and the scenario is getting old for the Bucs’ leading returning scorer.
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Email ArticleUnfortunately for ETSU, it appears that it will continue at least a little longer.
Smith has missed three games with a leg injury and will likely sit out at least the next two against the College of Charleston and Arkansas.
“We’re gonna see how it is next week,” Smith said before the Bucs’ game at Louisville. “They might let me give it a try after next week. I might return to practice late next week.”
The injury has been called a sore left knee that required rest. But Smith revealed Saturday that it might might be a stress fracture directly below the knee.
“It needs time, I guess,” he said, pointing to the injured area.
In Smith’s absence, the Bucs have lost three straight tough road games. He sat out the team’s two exhibition games with an eye toward the regular-season opener. Then he played only 10 minutes in the victory over Appalachian State before heading back to the injured list.
“I’m supposed to be the leader of this team, the captain,” said Smith, who averaged 15.3 points last year, about the same total as the rest of the roster. “I’m supposed to be productive for the team. It’s frustrating to watch and not be able to play. It’s hard not being out there.”
Nobody at ETSU is publicly talking about the possibility of red-shirting the team’s best player, but if the injury continues to keep him off the court, it will have to be considered.
“It’s a possibility,” Smith said. “That would be a big decision on my part. We’ll just see how the pain is.”
Given Smith’s high school football background — he was an all-star linebacker and quarterback in Missouri — and his all-out style of play, the pain must be pretty bad to keep him off the court.
“I’d be out there in a heartbeat if I could,” he said.