ESPN’s Jeff Goodman was at Michigan basketball practice over the weekend. He tweeted some thoughts about practice but also reports that there’s reason for concern regarding McGary’s injury.
“We’re just being cautious,” said the 6-foot-10, 260-pound big man, who has been out since the start of practice with what has been deemed by the school as a lower back condition. “I’m hoping to get back on the court in the next couple of weeks, but we’re not rushing anything.”
Despite optimism from both McGary and Michigan coach John Beilein, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com that McGary’s injury has become worrisome and that it could wind up being an issue this season.
McGary was a bystander for much of Saturday’s practice, doing some light shooting at times. He stood along the sidelines for the entire practice and appeared to be moving fine when he was shooting the ball. McGary later said it was more important for him to be on the court “in Big Ten play, when it matters” than at this time in the preseason.
Beilein also said that there’s optimism McGary will be able to return in mid-October, which has been the official start of practice in the past. The NCAA pushed up the start of practice three weeks for Division I men’s teams, and Beilein stressed there’s no reason to rush McGary back on the court.
