Harden’s healing
January 25th, 2008, 4:54 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Mark Heller
It was clear James Harden wasn’t his dynamic self on Thursday night - he confirmed as much Friday afternoon - but his progress appears positive.
Neither Harden nor coach Herb Sendek reported any further problems from the groin injury (now officially known as GroinGate on this blog).
Harden didn’t practice for four days this week, and said he felt fatigued later in the game as a result. Things such as diving for a loose ball and parts of his lateral movement (especially defensively) were hampered.
“I’m healthy. I just need to get my groove back a little bit and I’ll be alright,” he said. “… I was kind of sluggish, but that’ll wear off.”
Sendek said the injury can fully heal, though at what point that happens remains unclear, but a physically improving Harden will be in the lineup Saturday afternoon.
How much longer will GroinGate linger? Not long, according to Harden and his coach.
As for the randomness: After losing 22 straight games to AP ranked teams, ASU has won its past two with its win over No. 22 USC last year and the 77-55 win over No. 17 Xavier on Dec. 15.
Sendek is 2-3 against AP-ranked teams in Tempe. ASU was 2-28 against AP ranked teams the previous 11 seasons dating back to the Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1995.
Here’s one good reason why No. 6 Washington State has become an elite team the past two years, or what ASU is trying to become: ASU has had seven freshmen make a total of 119 starts in two seasons under Sendek. WSU has had one freshmen make four starts in these two seasons.
ASU’s last win over a top-10 team was Jan. 23, 2002, an 88-72 win over No. 10 Arizona.
Get there early on Saturday (5 p.m. tipoff), ASU is expecting at least 10,000 in attendance.
