Kerr Kriisa, Kentucky’s backup point guard, suffered a Jones fracture in his foot during the team’s incredible comeback victory over Gonzaga in Seattle about a month ago. Although supporters wanted the fiery fifth-year senior to return quickly, head coach Mark Pope’s remarks on Thursday indicate that patience is essential during this process.
“He’s a game-time decision for Saturday in my mind, but sometimes I live in a fantasy land,” Pope remarked. “It will take some time because this is a big deal.”
The original recuperation period for Kriisa’s injury was six weeks following surgery, which was done before to Kentucky’s victory over Colgate on December 11. But mending alone isn’t enough for a Jones fracture, which is prevalent among sportsmen. It frequently takes months to fully recover, and some athletes may continue to have discomfort and swelling for up to six months or more after an injury.
The Function of Kriisa Prior to Injury
Kriisa was playing a key role for the Wildcats before to his setback. He played little over 17 minutes per game in nine games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds. He was a wonderful change of pace from Lamont Butler and was well-known for his aggressive personality and leadership.
The Wildcats have relied more on starting point guard Lamont Butler, who has taken on more minutes and duties since Kriisa was injured. Butler has stepped up to the plate, but Kentucky’s bench depth has suffered.
Kriisa-Free Kentucky
Although the Wildcats have performed admirably without Kriisa, their rotation is clearly under stress. The squad has adjusted to keep up its attacking pace, with Perry and Koby Brea taking on more minutes. However, in games where defensive pressure or weariness increased, Kentucky’s assist-to-turnover ratio has occasionally decreased.
Unless you live in Pope’s fantasy realm, it is obvious from Pope’s remarks that Kriisa’s comeback is not imminent, even if Kentucky’s next battle is on Saturday. The Wildcats are still concentrating on controlling his absence while giving his complete recuperation first priority.
The Path Ahead
The timeline of Kriisa’s injuries is not unusual. Usually, resting and wearing a boot are necessary for a Jones fracture. The long-term objective is to make sure he returns at 100%—both emotionally and physically prepared—even though he is still a question mark for the short future.
Fans of the Wildcats will still be able to hear Kriisa’s legendary pregame remarks, but they will have to wait to witness his impassioned performance again on the court.
