STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University men’s basketball program arguably got the best news possible on the injury of freshman wing player Rodney Hood.
However, that may not translate into the 6-foot-8 guard/forward taking the floor Saturday at Alabama for the next Southeastern Conference contest (5 p.m., ESPN). MSU coach Rick Stansbury said Thursday afternoon Hood’s status for the next game is “doubtful” and “is a question mark” to return next week.
“Right now, it’s very, very doubtful in any way he’ll play,” Stansbury said. “He had his treatments and stuff yesterday and we’ll see today.”
Medical tests on Wednesday revealed Hood has a deep bone bruise in his left knee.
The 6-foot-8 guard/forward was injured late in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 73-64 loss to No. 1 Kentucky while fighting for a rebound.
With 4 minutes, 53 seconds left in the first half, all the momentum in a energy-infused Humphrey Coliseum was gone with Hood laying stomach down on the floor and unable to get up with what would be be later announced by school officials as a left knee bruise.
The 2011 Gatorade player of the year in the state of Mississippi was forced to be helped to the locker room by MSU trainer Scott Johnson. Hood didn’t return to the game, watching from the bench in the second half with crutches and a brace on his injured leg.
Though there is no structural damage to the knee, no return date has been set, according to MSU spokesman Gregg Ellis. Ellis confirmed there is no structural damage or bone fracture in the knee.
“Overall, the news on Rodney Hood is very good considering it’s a knee and the pain he was in,” Ellis said.
Hood’s started all 28 games this season, averaging 11 points per game.
Hood took to his Twitter account once the news was announced Wednesday to confirm the reports.
“Yes!!! Great news from the Doc…God is good!!! Pain is still horrible tho ….,” Hood tweeted.
“A huge, huge, huge blow for us,” MSU coach Rick Stansbury said after the Tuesday night loss. “They weren’t going to cancel the game but when we lose one of our key guys Rodney Hood, with our lack of depth was huge for us. Absolutely huge for us.”
Stansbury has said sophomore guard Jalen Steele would replace Hood in the MSU starting lineup.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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