[19th Hole]

03/25/2013

Maryland guard Seth Allen breaks bone in left hand

Maryland guard Seth Allen is likely done for the season after fracturing a bone in his left hand.
Coach Mark Turgeon said Monday the freshman suffered the injury at the start of practice Sunday and will not play in Tuesday's NIT quarterfinal at Alabama. Allen will see a specialist after the Terrapins (24-12) return from Tuscaloosa, Ala.
"Most likely, even if we're lucky enough to advance, Seth is done for the year," Turgeon said.
Allen is averaging 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists for Maryland. He's reached double figures in four of the Terps' five games since the start of the ACC tournament. Allen walked past reporters with his left hand wrapped up.
Turgeon said the left-handed Allen suffered the injury while reaching in for a ball. His absence creates a modest depth issue for Maryland, which has used a five-man backcourt rotation throughout the season.
In Thursday's 62-52 defeat of Denver, Turgeon briefly turned to a five-guard alignment with Allen, Logan Aronhalt, Nick Faust Pe'Shon Howard and Dez Wells. Should Maryland opt to go small against the Crimson Tide (23-12), it will have to use all four of its available guards along with either forward Jake Layman or one of the big men who spend their time exclusively at the four or the five.
That could include more time for the likes of Charles Mitchell (14 minutes per game over the last five games), Shaquille Cleare (6.8 minutes per game in that span) and James Padgett (4.3 minutes per game plus two DNPs over the last five games).
"We can still play a small lineup, but maybe not as much," Turgeon said. "Alabama's a bigger, stronger team. They still play four guards at times, but guys like Padge, Charles, Shaq will probably get those minutes also."
Allen's injury caught teammates by surprise.
"No one saw it happen," Howard said. "You heard him scream a little bit. I thought he was going to be right back into practice. ... I don't think anybody knew how serious it was until after. You could see he was in a lot of pain. Later, he walked into my room in a sling and I told him he had to get out because he was going to bring bad luck."
Allen's injury is one of the few to have a major impact on Maryland this season. Howard missed a Jan. 30 game against Florida State because of illness, while reserve forward John Auslander (broken leg) has not played since Dec. 12.
"I feel bad for Seth because he's been really playing well," Turgeon said. "It's a blow to us, and it's a big blow to us because of the way he's been playing."
--- Patrick Stevens

[Da Manster!]

So, does that mean pound Alabama tomorrow night against the Terps?!......We all know full well that Vegas will adjust the line accordingly....thanks for the heads up!...