Ruffin update?

[TheHeemyMonster]

Has there been any news on how ruffin is doin wih his progress and when he is expected to return. I knew when he first got hurt the earliest date for his return that I heard was ISU on Wednesday. I am assuming this is not the case although he appearently has worked out and done some things to continue his progress. Anyone know anything?

[Scouter]

Has there been any news on how ruffin is doin wih his progress and when he is expected to return. I knew when he first got hurt the earliest date for his return that I heard was ISU on Wednesday. I am assuming this is not the case although he appearently has worked out and done some things to continue his progress. Anyone know anything?

I don't know anything, but I'd venture to guess it'll be another two weeks before we see Ruff.

Can we get a pick 'em going for this? What game will DR return? How about tiebreakers for number of points he scores and how many minutes he plays?

[Da Coach]

Dave Reynolds has a report on Daniel Ruffin in an article Monday morning (1/21). Unfortunately, there is a problem with the PJS website, and the article doesn't appear there yet. It may be posted sometime later today--

http://pjstar.com/sports/index.shtml

In it he quotes BU trainer Marcus Ohnemus as saying DR is right where he should be in his recovery from sports hernia surgery. He has had no setbacks, but he is having a lot of soreness. It sounds like he is still not quite ready to return to play this week. His surgery was Friday, Dec 28, slightly more than 3 weeks ago.

Several professional sports figures have recently had sports hernia surgery. All of these stories report a 6 week or longer recovery time.--
Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Williams--

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nhl/news/adn4123734.htm

Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Aubrey Huff--

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-huff0111,0,3149092.story

Denver Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins--

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/acn4121936.htm

[chitown fanatic]

If it really is 6 weeks, there is no way we avoid play-in game. This is really disappointing news. The next 5 games all are winnable, but I was hoping we'd get a lift by just having him play sparingly while getting back into game shape. 6 weeks means only 4 conf games left...not enough time to keep us out of Thursday.

[BradleyBrave]

I think Ruffin returns February 2 at Evansville. That's 5 weeks since the surgery.

[shaunguth]

Six weeks' recovery time would be February 8. We will be needing him for the final six conference games and the BB game, although it may be too late to get out of Thursday.

[BradleyBrave]

Six weeks' recovery time would be February 8. We will be needing him for the final six conference games and the BB game, although it may be too late to get out of Thursday.

Ruffin has always been a quick healer, which is why I thought the 2nd might be the date. Maybe not. We still should have 3 more wins right now than we have, and our next 5 games are all winnable with or without Ruff. We all know what BU needs to do better so there's no use dissecting it again, but most of it Ruff wouldn't have a huge impact on.

[shaunguth]

Ruffin has always been a quick healer, which is why I thought the 2nd might be the date. Maybe not. We still should have 3 more wins right now than we have, and our next 5 games are all winnable with or without Ruff. We all know what BU needs to do better so there's no use dissecting it again, but most of it Ruff wouldn't have a huge impact on.

I would much rather have Ruffin on the floor than TCS!

[BradleyBrave]

I would much rather have Ruffin on the floor than TCS!

So would I, but Ruffin isn't the reason we got pounded on the boards against UNI, MSU, WSU, or Drake. I'm sorry, but his 3 rebounds a game wouldn't have been difference-makers in those games.

[jasonpeoria911]

For what it's worth, Donovan McNabb had surgery for a sports hernia back in November and was back at the helm 3 weeks later. Course, he could wear padding to protect his mid section and didn't have to run as much but he was playing anyways. Maybe there's some hope he'll be back sooner.

Jason

[Da Coach]

For what it's worth, Donovan McNabb had surgery for a sports hernia back in November and was back at the helm 3 weeks later. Course, he could wear padding to protect his mid section and didn't have to run as much but he was playing anyways. Maybe there's some hope he'll be back sooner.

Jason

I can't find where McNabb had a sports hernia this past season, but according to this article, McNabb had sports hernia surgery in early Nov., 2005 that ended his season. He missed the last 7 games.--

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/famousinjuries/p/dovovanmcnabb.htm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2232084

[SFP]

So would I, but Ruffin isn't the reason we got pounded on the boards against UNI, MSU, WSU, or Drake. I'm sorry, but his 3 rebounds a game wouldn't have been difference-makers in those games.

BB I agree with most of what you say but DR is our only real disrupter and makes it much harder for the opponents guard to get the ball inside. Consequently the other teams big needs to step outside to set picks which keeps them from rebounding as easy. He does contribute to our rebounding indirectly and also does a great job of keeping his man away from the basket. When he plays the other guards need to pay attention to him and do not have the luxury of going for the ball. I know where you are going with this line and agree partially but a healthy DR in my humble opnion makes a difference.

[BradleyBrave]

BB I agree with most of what you say but DR is our only real disrupter and makes it much harder for the opponents guard to get the ball inside. Consequently the other teams big needs to step outside to set picks which keeps them from rebounding as easy. He does contribute to our rebounding indirectly and also does a great job of keeping his man away from the basket. When he plays the other guards need to pay attention to him and do not have the luxury of going for the ball. I know where you are going with this line and agree partially but a healthy DR in my humble opnion makes a difference.

We're 2-6 since Ruffin has been out. Here's my take on the games.

Losses where Ruffin makes the difference -

VCU (home) - BU won the rebounding battle 41-37, Maynor would not have gone for a career-high on Ruffin.
Drake (home) - BU outrebouned 34-27 but outshoots Drake in every category; Emmenecker doesn't get in the lane if Ruffin plays and we don't have the inbounding issues.

Losses where Ruffin doesn't make the difference -

Northern Iowa (home) - BU outrebounded 45-27.
Missouri St (away) - BU outrebounded 43-33 and gave up 85 points in 32 minutes.
Wichita St (home) - BU outrebounded 38-22 and allowed a team scoring in the 50's to score 51 2nd half points while shooting 69%.
SIU (away) - BU outrebounded by 3, Matt Shaw scores 18, Falker scores 14, Fay scores 11.


So, by witnessing the games (as I know most of us on here have), and looking at the stats, I think it's pretty evident that Ruffin's impact is not quite what some would have you believe. Very few players in America are good enough to be able to make up for double-digit rebounding deficits and frontcourt abuse that BU has been victim of. Add to that Sam's numbers in Ruffin's absence - nearly identical in all categories - and the argument gets even harder.

[Da Coach]

Disagree a bit here-- Bradley wins the UNI home game with Ruffin, as Josten would never have gone off for so many points with Ruffin dogging him defensively. Ruffin might have a bunch of steals, too, as none of UNI's guards are true point guards.

I also think BU win the Wichita State game, as his defense prevents them from a lot of open perimeter shots and drives.

I don't think it is likely he would have made as much difference in the MSU and SIU games, but we'll never know. Ruffin is one tough player, and maybe those games become winnable with our regular, more veteran lineup playing. At the least, Fay doesn't get all those wide open looks with Ruffin defending the perimeter.

[SFP]

I want to make just one more remark. Bradley's system on D works best with on ball pressure and there is no one in the back court right now that can play in your face D as a healthy DR. We have been really good on D when we have 2-3 really quick smart defensive guards to disrupt the other team. Lat year we had DR and WF who played that role. JC and as much as I like SM do not fit that mold. JC never has and hopefully SM will become quicker as he matures. Does this excuse our biggies, NO, but it would have helped.