Arizona forward Ray Smith has torn the ACL on his other knee and will miss the season. Just terrible news for the freshman. Arizona has the pieces to overcome the loss this year but you have to think mentally it's going to be a long road ahead for the Las Vegas native. He tore the ACL on his other leg last July before making a full recovery.
While Smith got into some foul trouble during Arizona's Red-Blue game he has been one of the players impressing most during official practices this month. He was going to be a big contributor for the 'Cats this year and could have potentially found a starting spot.
With Smith now out there will obviously have to be some shifts to the lineup and the two players the injury to Smith, that took place during practice this week, will impact are Elliott Pitts and Mark Tollefsen. Sean Miller was very complimentary of Pitts after the Red-Blue game and he is certainly pushing for some more playing time right now. The Northern California native is not quite the ideal small forward but his ability to defend and knock down shots is something Miller really likes.
Tollefsen is also an option at the small forward spot, but that was going to be the plan all along as he could play either the power forward or small forward depending on the matchup. Defense is always going to be at the top for Miller so if the San Francisco transfer can show that he can defend some of the quicker players this season he will spend more time out on the wing.
As of now there are some options and Arizona certainly won't be a opposed to playing more of a three-guard look but Smith's injury is certainly a blow for a player who was trending in the right direction going into his first college season.
UPDATE: Arizona head coach Sean Miller has released a statement confirming Ray Smith's injury this morning.
"Ray Smith is one of the most talented young players that has ever entered our program. The news of his injury is incredibly disappointing on several levels. However, the togetherness of our program is one of our strengths. Our great fans, former and current players, our medical and coaching staffs along with Ray’s family look forward to the challenges of helping him reach all of his goals and dreams. His journey in getting to the top of the mountain might be different, but I have tremendous belief that he will get there with this type of support, his amazing determination to succeed and the love of the game of basketball that he possesses. Today, Ray Smith remains one of the most talented young players we have ever had at Arizona and that has not changed.”
While Smith got into some foul trouble during Arizona's Red-Blue game he has been one of the players impressing most during official practices this month. He was going to be a big contributor for the 'Cats this year and could have potentially found a starting spot.
With Smith now out there will obviously have to be some shifts to the lineup and the two players the injury to Smith, that took place during practice this week, will impact are Elliott Pitts and Mark Tollefsen. Sean Miller was very complimentary of Pitts after the Red-Blue game and he is certainly pushing for some more playing time right now. The Northern California native is not quite the ideal small forward but his ability to defend and knock down shots is something Miller really likes.
Tollefsen is also an option at the small forward spot, but that was going to be the plan all along as he could play either the power forward or small forward depending on the matchup. Defense is always going to be at the top for Miller so if the San Francisco transfer can show that he can defend some of the quicker players this season he will spend more time out on the wing.
As of now there are some options and Arizona certainly won't be a opposed to playing more of a three-guard look but Smith's injury is certainly a blow for a player who was trending in the right direction going into his first college season.
UPDATE: Arizona head coach Sean Miller has released a statement confirming Ray Smith's injury this morning.
"Ray Smith is one of the most talented young players that has ever entered our program. The news of his injury is incredibly disappointing on several levels. However, the togetherness of our program is one of our strengths. Our great fans, former and current players, our medical and coaching staffs along with Ray’s family look forward to the challenges of helping him reach all of his goals and dreams. His journey in getting to the top of the mountain might be different, but I have tremendous belief that he will get there with this type of support, his amazing determination to succeed and the love of the game of basketball that he possesses. Today, Ray Smith remains one of the most talented young players we have ever had at Arizona and that has not changed.”
