Jalen Suggs...Tough

[Reborn]

Jalen showed us what tough is last night. He also showed us what character is all about, Zag character. His decision to play last night, imo, really helped the Zags win. And he didn't have to go back in and play on an injured ankle. Few didn't want him to go back in, and I'm sure all of the NBA scouts didn't want him to. After the injury he couldn't even walk off the court by himself. He was cradled by Coach Few and the trainer. And we saw him sitting on the sidelines the rest of the half in total agony.

And then suddenly, after the halftime break, the camera shows us that he's over on the sidelines trying to run on it, and still it doesn't look all that good, but even the fact that he was doing what he was doing over there suggested to me that he was thinking about playing. And hope began to rise in me because I honestly believed we needed him in the game if we were going to beat WV. And then I saw him walk over to the scorer's table and sign in to play. And I suddenly screamed, "Oh Yeah!" He wasn't scoring at all, but he is Jalen Suggs, and WV had to guard him. And he has the eyes of an elite HS quarterback who was sought after by many colleges. He made 3 very good assists for easy baskets, and got a couple of tough rebounds on a wounded ankle. And then I saw him stop limping. I read later that Few told him that if he continued to see him limp on the court that he was pulling him out. Great call coach.

In a time when most elite college athletes are mostly thinking about their NBA career, and will do anything to protect it, it was really nice to see an elite player care only about his team and about winning. I was moved last night by his desire and confidence, and courage. And I still am this morning. As skilled as these elite athletes are, one thing that is sometimes overlooked is toughness, and yet it will always be one of the most important things, if not THE most important thing, always. If you haven't played college sports at the D-1 level you may not know how tough the players are, and how little opposing players care if you get hurt. And many of those guys will try to hurt you. Jalen Suggs proved on this night how tough he is. He's football tough, and I know what that is too. Like all of you, I loved Suggs before last night. But last night's display of toughness and character has taken my love for him as a college athlete to a whole new level.

And the bottom line for me. Is that his effort shows us all again what Zag toughness is about. Baylor looked awesome last night, and they too are tough. If it weren't for guys like Suggs, I'd probably think that Baylor might beat us Saturday. But his display of character last night convinced me that the Zags will prevail Saturday.

Go Zags!

[CDC84]

The guy was a star football player in HS. He's used to playing in pain and dealing with bumps and bruises. My concern is that the ankle has probably swelled up this morning. GU really needs him to be at his best against Baylor on Saturday.

[gueastcoast]

The guy was a star football player in HS. He's used to playing in pain and dealing with bumps and bruises. My concern is that the ankle has probably swelled up this morning. GU really needs him to be at his best against Baylor on Saturday.

Had the same thought. Tough kid but you know he's hurting this a.m. Am glad this wasn't a tourney with games back to back days...hopefully the layoff the next two days will help.

[CDC84]

They said during the TV broadcast that the Pacers allowed all four teams to use their in house diagnostic faciities. I am sure they were used on Suggs before he went out on the court.

[billyberu]

As long as it isn't a high ankle sprain and the soft-tissue damage isn't too bad, I'd let him play. Tape it up and throw some dirt on it. Jalen is a tough hombre.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[jazzdelmar]

No way he’s allowed back unless no new damage was possible. I think viewers were caught up in the young man’s reaction. He was stunned more than anything. Even fb players get scared. I was focusing on the GU medical staffer. Maybe it was wishful thinking but it never seemed like he thought it was as serious as many of us feared. Just the way he was handling Jalen. Great work. The quick dismissal of an Achilles was also reassuring, that’s GU career ending. Whoever that young man is, I’m his newest number one fan.

[Reborn]

I'm certainly not a medical specialist or trainer, but I've played a lot of games over the years, and if it was a bad sprain I don't think Suggs would have been able to play on it. I watched the second half of the game over again twice and Suggs seemed to be able to run with not much of a problem at all. After Few told him that if he sees him limping any more that he's pulling him out, Suggs seemed to recover. I really do not know how much swelling will take place after the tape is taken off after the game. That certainly is a huge question.

Go Zags!

[Jedster]

No way he’s allowed back unless no new damage was possible. I think viewers were caught up in the young man’s reaction. He was stunned more than anything. Even fb players get scared. I was focusing on the GU medical staffer. Maybe it was wishful thinking but it never seemed like he thought it was as serious as many of us feared. Just the way he was handling Jalen. Great work. The quick dismissal of an Achilles was also reassuring, that’s GU career ending. Whoever that young man is, I’m his newest number one fan.

This....It was interesting how he stayed on the bench for a long time right after the injury with the trainer working with him. If the trainer had thought achilles or something more damaging, I'm sure they would have been straight back to the locker room. I spent more time watching the bench for a couple minutes than I did the game when it was on that end of the court! :-)

I was worried it was an achilles strain a la Richard Sherman, who kept playing on it until it burst later in the season. I really doubt they'd let him play if that was the case. Hoping the swelling and stiffness aren't too bad over the next couple days and he's in good enough form to have an impact against Baylor. We're really going to need him for that game!

[bballbeachbum]

those clickety click slipping ankle jams, where maybe the heel back of your shoe whacks your achilles too. Ouch, those hurt around the back of your ankle, the replay showed it well. The mental toughness afterwards, wow. And some of those passing angles above the traffic in transition he dimes up, reminds me of someone....

[bigblahla]

Jalen showed us what tough is last night. He also showed us what character is all about, Zag character. His decision to play last night, imo, really helped the Zags win. And he didn't have to go back in and play on an injured ankle. Few didn't want him to go back in, and I'm sure all of the NBA scouts didn't want him to. After the injury he couldn't even walk off the court by himself. He was cradled by Coach Few and the trainer. And we saw him sitting on the sidelines the rest of the half in total agony.

And then suddenly, after the halftime break, the camera shows us that he's over on the sidelines trying to run on it, and still it doesn't look all that good, but even the fact that he was doing what he was doing over there suggested to me that he was thinking about playing. And hope began to rise in me because I honestly believed we needed him in the game if we were going to beat WV. And then I saw him walk over to the scorer's table and sign in to play. And I suddenly screamed, "Oh Yeah!" He wasn't scoring at all, but he is Jalen Suggs, and WV had to guard him. And he has the eyes of an elite HS quarterback who was sought after by many colleges. He made 3 very good assists for easy baskets, and got a couple of tough rebounds on a wounded ankle. And then I saw him stop limping. I read later that Few told him that if he continued to see him limp on the court that he was pulling him out. Great call coach.

In a time when most elite college athletes are mostly thinking about their NBA career, and will do anything to protect it, it was really nice to see an elite player care only about his team and about winning. I was moved last night by his desire and confidence, and courage. And I still am this morning. As skilled as these elite athletes are, one thing that is sometimes overlooked is toughness, and yet it will always be one of the most important things, if not THE most important thing, always. If you haven't played college sports at the D-1 level you may not know how tough the players are, and how little opposing players care if you get hurt. And many of those guys will try to hurt you. Jalen Suggs proved on this night how tough he is. He's football tough, and I know what that is too. Like all of you, I loved Suggs before last night. But last night's display of toughness and character has taken my love for him as a college athlete to a whole new level.

And the bottom line for me. Is that his effort shows us all again what Zag toughness is about. Baylor looked awesome last night, and they too are tough. If it weren't for guys like Suggs, I'd probably think that Baylor might beat us Saturday. But his display of character last night convinced me that the Zags will prevail Saturday.

Go Zags!

Great post bornie...

Suggs is Zag Tough!!!

Go!! Zags!!!

[zag944]

I remember Russ going back in just a play after a pretty bad sprain but because of the swelling having a really hard time being ready for the Seahawks week to week a few seasons ago. Some interview somewhere he said he probably should have stayed out some of those games. It will be interesting to see how they manage this.

[23dpg]

I remember Russ going back in just a play after a pretty bad sprain but because of the swelling having a really hard time being ready for the Seahawks week to week a few seasons ago. Some interview somewhere he said he probably should have stayed out some of those games. It will be interesting to see how they manage this.

Funny you mention Russ. When I first saw his YouTube highlights from HS, that’s who I compared him to. He seems to go fast without looking like he’s going fast, if you know what I mean. Always seems in control.

[MDABE80]

Steroids, anti inflammatories wraps massages pt...and he has an extra day. It’s not the old Joey August days Reborn.. our trainers are professionals nowadays. Let’s hope Suggs gets 20 on Saturday and this is resolved.

[Birddog]

Steroids, anti inflammatories wraps massages pt...and he has an extra day. It’s not the old Joey August days Reborn.. our trainers are professionals nowadays. Let’s hope Suggs gets 20 on Saturday and this is resolved.

Good one Abe! Memory Lane.

[Reborn]

Good one Abe! Memory Lane.

ditto...good post MDABE The good ol days for sure.

[Zagceo]

Suggs block at the end of the game.....fearless

[Mantua]

ditto...good post MDABE The good ol days for sure.

They were good old old days for me. My family got front row seats to the Golden Gloves. I was allowed to skip school and remember the blood splatter very well. My parents often spoke of Joey August. Everyone seemed to love the guy.

[MDABE80]

History is good and we have a lot of it. Suggs/Cook will lead us. But wow...see how one injury to a key player hurts!?!?!? I still think Suggs is playing at an NBA level. Never said that before but if the PG is key to wins in college basketball, even with a loss we'll go the distance this year. Ballo must come along quickly. Timme will get tired at some point, I wondering why our other 7 footer isn't playing. He was thought to be better than Filip when they both came.

[TacomaZAG]

Steroids, anti inflammatories wraps massages pt...and he has an extra day. It’s not the old Joey August days Reborn.. our trainers are professionals nowadays. Let’s hope Suggs gets 20 on Saturday and this is resolved.

Fire up the way-back machine Abe. I miss the days of ZAG players driving the beer trucks in the summer..............

Go ZAGS

[zag buddy]

I did my share to support Joey August back in the day. 40 years since I had a Budweiser. But then I haven't been in jail either. Back in those days you did not let your alligator mouth overload your hummingbirds azz or you would find yourself outside. When drinking I actually did get a lot of fresh air. and yes I was always right, somethings don't change.

[tummydoc]

My folks played pinochle with Joey and his wife Norma at our kitchen table on Mission. Wow thats a blast from the past.

[ProVeeZag]

I got to play for Joey August for several years on one of his sponsored softball teams back in the late 80's. He was loyal ... and generous. Always made sure the team had pizza money ... and something to wash it down with! Nice to see old Joey sitting in the grandstand checking on us.

[Zag365]

I remember Russ going back in just a play after a pretty bad sprain but because of the swelling having a really hard time being ready for the Seahawks week to week a few seasons ago. Some interview somewhere he said he probably should have stayed out some of those games. It will be interesting to see how they manage this.

Any update in local press on Suggs' status now that 24 hours have gone by? Hopefully the sprain can be managed safely to get through the Baylor game. After that, the schedule is such that he can rest it pretty much for a week if needed.