Rush had difficulty dribbling when wearing a cast, but now has greater flexibility with the plastic splint.Rush had difficulty dribbling when wearing a cast, but now has greater flexibility with the plastic splint.
Men's Basketball

Kareem Rush Could Return Monday At Texas

Feb. 24, 2001

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Kareem Rush wants to return to the Missouri lineup on Monday at Texas, although he understands that his coach wants to exercise caution.

Missouri is 4-2 without Rush, the Big 12's leading scorer, after beating Baylor 69-59 in its home finale Saturday. Rush, who had surgery to repair ligament damage to his left thumb earlier this month, had his cast removed on Friday and will wear a plastic protective splint when he next plays.

He's hoping that time is Monday.

"I can shoot," he said. "I can do everything, basically, except for move my thumb. But it's ultimately up to the coach to decide to play me or not."

Rush had difficulty dribbling when wearing a cast. With the splint he has protection and a lot less restriction.

"It's pretty stable," Rush said. "It's like having a cast on, but it gives me a lot of freedom to dribble and stuff like that. So, it's feeling great."

Coach Quin Snyder said it's more likely that Rush, who is averaging 21.9 points, will be back for the regular-season finale at Kansas on March 4. He warned not to expect similar production from Rush for a while.

"He will not be the same as he was when he left," Snyder said. "That whole process for him psychologically coming back off an injury is something we're trying to manage real well.

"And making sure when he does play, his expectations for what he does are in proper order."

Whenever he returns, his teammates expect a lift. Guard Brian Grawer has picked up much of the scoring slack, averaging 17 points in Rush's absence.

"It's exciting, isn't it?" Grawer said. "It just gives the team extra energy and extra life."

Rush, who practiced three times earlier this week, watched the Baylor game in street clothes from the bench. He didn't practice Friday because he had a root canal procedure.

After calling Snyder on Friday night to discuss the situation, Rush accepts Snyder's position.

"I'm looking forward to going to Texas and hopefully I can play if I want to," Rush said. "But it's ultimately up to coach to decide to play me or not.

"If he doesn't, that's fine. But I'll be ready for KU, definitely."