A back injury could prevent freshman forward Drew Gordon from playing for the UCLA men’s basketball team in its crucial game at Arizona State on Thursday.
Gordon injured his back while reaching for a rebound in the Bruins’ game against Notre Dame on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion. He said he planned to participate in only the second half of the team’s Tuesday practice.
The No. 11 Bruins (19-4, 8-2 Pac-10) will tip-off against No. 18 Arizona State (18-5, 7-4) on Thursday at 8 p.m.
“I definitely want to get out there and play,” Gordon said. “I’m going to do all I can to get better and hopefully suck it up and play this game.”
Gordon has never had a back injury before, although he dealt with other injuries in high school. He said he does not consider this to be a major injury.
Coach Ben Howland said Gordon would practice for about an hour Tuesday and that there is a chance he will not be available when the Bruins play in Tempe.
Howland wouldn’t say who would replace Gordon in the rotation.
“I’m not even going to “˜what-if,'” he said. “We’ll just wait and see.”
Gordon has played about 12 minutes per game during the conference season, mostly as a backup to senior forward Alfred Aboya.
In 10 conference games, Gordon has averaged four points and three rebounds per game, and Howland considers him to be one of the most efficient players on the roster.
Howland did not mention freshman center J’Mison “˜Bobo’ Morgan specifically, but Morgan would likely receive more minutes if Gordon cannot play.
“The best thing about this team is we believe in one another,” Aboya said. “When somebody is hurt, it just gives other players opportunity to step up. Bobo will be up to the challenge.”
Either Aboya, Morgan or Gordon will have to try to slow Arizona State’s star forward, Jeff Pendergraph.
Pendergraph dominated UCLA last month at Pauley Pavilion, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds and helping the Sun Devils to a surprising 61-58 overtime victory. Arizona State outrebounded UCLA in that win.
Morgan, a highly touted recruit who stands 6 feet 10 inches, has played sparingly this season.
His most significant minutes came Jan. 24 at Washington. He struggled defensively against Jon Brockman in that game, but he managed to score four points.
“Bobo puts in the work in practice,” UCLA guard Jrue Holiday said. “I have full confidence that he could come in and take the position Drew has had.”
Howland will ultimately make the decision. Gordon said he’s experiencing constant pain but is still confident he will be ready to play the Sun Devils.
“The coach is always overcautious and wants to make sure everyone is 100 percent,” Gordon said. “In my mind, I’ll be ready, but it’s up to the coach.”
UCLA’s other injured freshman, guard Malcolm Lee, practiced Tuesday and is expected to play Thursday. Lee tweaked his left ankle against Notre Dame.
ASU HEALTHY: Arizona State point guard Derek Glasser practiced Monday, and UCLA expects him to start in Thursday’s game. Glasser injured his neck last Thursday in a collision with an Oregon player, and he also suffered a concussion last month against Washington.
Glasser was especially effective Jan. 17 in Arizona State’s win at UCLA, when he finished with six points, five rebounds, four assists and no turnovers in 42 minutes.
Howland also said he expects Arizona State forward Rihards Kuksiks to play, despite a recent sickness.