For the first time in weeks, LSU had enough players Monday to practice 5-on-5 without equipment managers filling in for injured players.
The latest player to return from the injured list, junior center Chris Johnson, practiced for the first time since breaking his right hand at Tulane on Jan. 2.
Team spokesman Kent Lowe said Johnson will likely receive his first playing time in nearly a month Wednesday at Auburn despite reports that the Tigers’ tallest player would not return before the team travels to Alabama Saturday.
“It’s Coach [John] Brady’s decision, but I feel like I can play,” Johnson said after practice.
At this point, the biggest roadblock to Johnson’s playing at full strength may be overcoming the anxiety that accompanies returning from a serious injury.
“It’s more nervousness than anything,” Johnson said. “I shoot right now, and I really don’t feel anything. It feels good.”
Regaining the timing and quickness of playing in a Southeastern Conference game will be another hurdle for Johnson to overcome.
“The plays we went over today, I knew them,” Johnson said. “I just have to get my timing back.”
Johnson’s return should help the Tigers in their recent efforts to improve rebounding – an area LSU has struggled with since Johnson’s injury against the Green Wave.
Standing 6-feet-11-inches, Johnson could have a big impact against Auburn which played only one man taller than 6-feet-6-inches in LSU’s 74-67 loss to Auburn to weeks ago.
The Jan. 16 matchup in the PMAC was the first rebounding battle LSU had won since Nov. 30 against Southern.
Johnson’s opportunity to play should also benefit him this weekend when the Tigers face Alabama and the Crimson Tide’s imposing big man, Richard Hendrix – the SEC’s leading rebounder.
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]