Injuries - Do we need better S&C?

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

I know injuries are part of the game. Has it just been a strange fluke this year? Or do we need better Strength & Conditioning?

I used to think it was just young kids whose bodies weren’t ready for the grind of SEC play. This year, Kerr, Butler, Carr (with the nagging back injury) & Robinson are all vets and full grown men.

 

[Midway Cat]

Not sure better S&C could have prevented Kerr breaking his foot, Butler tearing his labrum, or Robinson tearing ligaments in his wrist.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

Not sure better S&C could have prevented Kerr breaking his foot, Butler tearing his labrum, or Robinson tearing ligaments in his wrist.

I’m sure that’s correct.

I’m probably looking at this with bias. Maybe other programs have had just as many injuries. It feels like we are always missing key components that keep us from reaching our full potential

 

[Midway Cat]

I’m sure that’s correct.

I’m probably looking at this with bias. Maybe other programs have had just as many injuries. It feels like we are always missing key components that keep us from reaching our full potential

I just want to compliment you on acknowledging that your own perspective is likely impacting how you're thinking about this.

I know we're all fans, so bias is to be expected, but we could all benefit from taking a step back and doing the same thing you did.

 

[Cats192]

I’m sure that’s correct.

I’m probably looking at this with bias. Maybe other programs have had just as many injuries. It feels like we are always missing key components that keep us from reaching our full potential

"Always missing." We switched not that long ago under Cal. I have no idea if they kept the same guy or not.

I don't think you can blame strength and conditioning for most injuries. Injuries just happen. I don't believe that Robinson hurt his wrist, Kerr broke his foot, or Butler tore his labrum because of poor conditioning/strength. Injuries happen.

 

[catlogic15]

Was Butler injury free prior to coming here?

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

I’m sure that’s correct.

I’m probably looking at this with bias. Maybe other programs have had just as many injuries. It feels like we are always missing key components that keep us from reaching our full potential

Nice thoughtful exchange here. I tend to agree that the type of injuries Kentucky suffered this year are not necessarily the kind that S&C prevent. But I am reminded of an article published 3-4 years ago—sorry I can’t remember the details of where or when—that basically attributed a lot of today’s basketball injuries to overuse. Young players now play year round in traveling leagues, school programs, and camps. The author’s point was that they don’t simply fatigue their musculoskeletal system, but that they fatigue components of it specific to their sport. As I recall, the article ended with a plea for more down time and cross-sport training

I doubt that full-time basketball is going away, so the question becomes how to train and manage rosters around it. The NBA has taken this seriously, but we tend to think of rest-days in terms of aging players and long seasons. But if young players are on the courts 365 days per year, it’s easy to understand how injuries have become such a problem.

 

[Phil_The_Music]

Didn't all of our injuries except for Kerr happen during SEC play? Maybe if the SEC wasn't an honorary rugby league, that would help some.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

Nice thoughtful exchange here. I tend to agree that the type of injuries Kentucky suffered this year are not necessarily the kind that S&C prevent. But I am reminded of an article published 3-4 years ago—sorry I can’t remember the details of where or when—that basically attributed a lot of today’s basketball injuries to overuse. Young players now play year round in traveling leagues, school programs, and camps. The author’s point was that they don’t simply fatigue their musculoskeletal system, but that they fatigue components of it specific to their sport. As I recall, the article ended with a plea for more down time and cross-sport training

I doubt that full-time basketball is going away, so the question becomes how to train and manage rosters around it. The NBA has taken this seriously, but we tend to think of rest-days in terms of aging players and long seasons. But if young players are on the courts 365 days per year, it’s easy to understand how injuries have become such a problem.

Yes, and Coach wants a 40 game regular season 😅

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Yes, and Coach wants a 40 game regular season 😅

This is gonna be a big deal in football, too, I think.

 

[DraftCat]

Just bad luck it happens.

 

[Haggin_Hall_1983]

I know injuries are part of the game. Has it just been a strange fluke this year? Or do we need better Strength & Conditioning?

I used to think it was just young kids whose bodies weren’t ready for the grind of SEC play. This year, Kerr, Butler, Carr (with the nagging back injury) & Robinson are all vets and full grown men.

The only players that we have that look like they hit the weight room are Williams, Butler and Oweh. We need a top tier strength/conditioning program.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Yes, and Coach wants a 40 game regular season 😅

Dare I say it?






49-0

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

The only players that we have that look like they hit the weight room are Williams, Butler and Oweh. We need a top tier strength/conditioning program.

Yes that’s a different question and I agree.

 

[simnalecho]

Probably just need better bubble wrap. Also, hopefully we got them all out of our system for the next few years.

 

[JonathanW]

I know injuries are part of the game. Has it just been a strange fluke this year? Or do we need better Strength & Conditioning?

I used to think it was just young kids whose bodies weren’t ready for the grind of SEC play. This year, Kerr, Butler, Carr (with the nagging back injury) & Robinson are all vets and full grown men.

How does strength and conditioning prevent a broken foot, a broken wrist, a torn labrum?
Answer: It doesn’t!!!!

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

How does strength and conditioning prevent a broken foot, a broken wrist, a torn labrum?
Answer: It doesn’t!!!!

Yeah. That was already discussed.

 

[bigblue2088]

Robinson injury could have been prevented if he would have built up strength in his wrist when younger.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

Personally I think the referees allowing more physical play on a massive scale has had more to do with it. The level of contact allowed in college ball today take your breath away. You can't allow that kind of contact without serious injuries occuring

 

[trueblujr2]

I’m sure that’s correct.

I’m probably looking at this with bias. Maybe other programs have had just as many injuries. It feels like we are always missing key components that keep us from reaching our full potential

If we were dealing with things like cramps, sprains, hamstrings, etc, then maybe. Those are associated with improper stretching, hydration, things like that. Pope using analytics to gauge how long a guy can go before his play drops off and ge needs a rest has also played a part in limiting those type things. But breaks and muscle tears and back injuries, are results of the physicality or something more chronic in the case of Carr. Yeah we need more muscle and beef to counter the bully ball, but I think Pope is now aware of that after a year in the SEC.

 

[logiUK]

What makes the injuries so wild is that it was almost exclusively to the same position - point guard.

Robinson... not saying his injury didn't hurt, but he wasn't seen as a primary ball handler. Had Robinson been the only injury, I think things could have shook out differently. You would have still had Butler and Kriisa running the point.

Had Kriisa not gotten injured, then you probably could have sustained the Butler injury. Having Kriisa as your primary point guard with Perry and Chandler playing backup minutes - and even Robinson had his injury not happened - I think the season looks different.

But Kriisa going down, then Butler, then Robinson - that meant you had to rely on Perry and Chandler getting significant point guard minutes. And Oweh was playing the point some and as good as Oweh is, he's not a point guard.

Having one of Butler or Kriisa available all season I think changes things. Had Robinson remained healthy and both Butler and Kriisa go out, that may have changed things - although I'm just not sure how good Robinson would be as a full time point guard.

Also throw in that Carr wasn't 100% healthy all season - although I think he played in every game.

If the three injuries had been to Butler, Robinson, and Williams - I think that maybe changes things. You still have Kriisa to be the primary point guard. You have Brea and Almonor that could step in for Robinson, definitely not the same level as Robinson. You then have Garrison that can step in for Williams, again not saying that's not a step down in production, but you're at least somewhat covered.

But the injuries happened to three (could be) primary ball handlers - that's going to hurt any team because most teams just aren't going to go three or four deep at any one position.

Getting a healthy Butler back for the NCAA tournament is the key to having any thoughts of a deep run in the tournament.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

our injuries to Carr and Butler are due to 2 dirty teams that were roughing us up and the refs encouraging the rough play. Then Robinson's was a fluke practice injury but went out for good due to once again by a team roughing us up and refs not controlling the game and again with Butler Thursday night against that same team.

There is nothing our S&C team could have done but I do think its time for Barnhart to retire and get an AD that is willing to let our programs do the substances that every other SEC team not named Vandy does. they help prevent wear and tear on the body that can lead to some injuries happening.

 

[Jakerz]

If get a better AD before I’d worry about strength and conditioning

 

[Kuhldaddy]

Speaking of injuries, Cal just texted his best friend Seth Greenberg and said Boogie Fland will likely be back for the tourney.