Injuries Are Mounting in the Valley

SIU’s Elliott the Latest

(St. Louis, MO) – Elijah Elliott is done for the season and injuries are mounting in the Valley. The Southern Illinois guard tore his ACL and his season is over. Several Missouri Valley Conference teams are struggling under the weight of injury diminished rosters.

Elliott was averaging 14 points and 3.4 rebounds while converting over 50 percent from the field until he injured his knee Saturday against Florida. SIU is 2-4 and will miss Elliott’s scoring and veteran presence.

People forget that Illinois State is yet to have Boden Skunberg or Brandon Lieb dress for a game. Skunberg was a 15-point-per-game scorer at North Dakota State and Lieb looked poised to play a significant role in the Redbird post. There’s no word on when either will return. We’re hearing whispers that Lieb’s injury could be a season long issue.

Valparaiso is playing without last year’s leading scorer, Isaiah Stafford. His return is an extreme long shot.

If Elliott, Skunberg and Stafford were healthy, each one has the potential to be an all league type of player.

Day-to-Day Kinds of Things

Missouri State played Tuesday’s game against South Dakota State without second-leading scorer Vincent Brady II. He ‘tweaked’ his hamstring during the Bears’ loss to Boston College. Writer Lyndal Scranton tells us coach Cuonzo Martin expects Brady (14.0 ppg & 5.5 rebounds per game) to be ready for MO State’s Sunday date with Oral Roberts.

Bradley has played several games without sophomore Demarion Burch and Brian Wardle says he expects the 6’4 guard to return this week. Evansville has played the last two games without junior college transfer Ramondo Battle. He has stepped away from the team for undisclosed ‘personal reasons’ and is not under any disciplinary restrictions.

There were a couple of games where Murray State was playing with a diminished Nick Ellington and the legal problems of Lawrent Rice ended the talented guard’s chance to have a shining sophomore season. Ellington seems healthy and is playing a productive role.

Indiana State center Derek Vorst has been battling an ankle injury and has missed several games. Broadcaster Joey O’Rourke tells me, the team is hopeful that he’ll return to the lineup this weekend.

Valparaiso’s Darius DeAveiro has been playing through a wrist injury. The injury has greatly affected his shooting (.200 for the season), but he still ranks among the Valley leaders in assists (4.6 per game). DeAveiro made just one field goal during the Beacons’ first four games. The 6’1 senior went three for 9 from deep in the team’s most recent game.

Injuries are mounting for Valley teams as they begin their first excursions in to next week’s brief time of league play.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Elijah Elliott courtesy of siusalukis.com.