He has been cleared for a while, iirc. Plan was always to redshirt, but maybe Alexis’s struggles in league play and the need for a little more length and finishing ability in the post, plus Handlogten’s work in practice and desire to get on the court are all in play here. Can’t imagine him being near playing shape right now, but if he could work his way into the fourth big role at 15 mpg or so, his length, experience, and absolutely elite offensive rebounding could be a big bonus.
Chinyelu sat for the last 8 mins or so of the USCe win right? Just lineups or maybe he got banged up? Wondering if this could be in response to something going on there too. Guess we will find out in 2 hours
Well, that is disappointing. I really wish they would turn him loose this year if he has been cleared. I like our bigs, but he would be a huge upgrade at the back-up center position and would catapult us to a surefire #2 in the SEC and #3 in the country and a near lock for the Final Four. Nobody would have our frontcourt depth.
This is why we don't jump out and rush to report rumors. This guy got burned doing the Off3 . . . "We're always first, not always right." LOL! Edit: Still wondering why Chris Harry published that story but he may have just hit the wrong button.
The announcers just said during the game that Micah was going to play and changed his mind overnight or this morning. Todd Golden even went out of his way to give Mike White a direct heads up that Micah was not playing during UGA’s shoot around. So this was not some unfounded internet rumor. Apparently at this point the decision is 100% Micah’s…
Indeed. Make of the fact that Handlogten is now on injury report - not required when medically redshirting - what you will.
This was included in ESPN's recap of the game: "Florida: Micah Handlogten, a 7-foot-1 junior who broke his left leg in the SEC Tournament title game last March, was planning to forgo a redshirt season and return to the court Saturday. But he changed his mind Friday and now plans to sit out." Does that means he planned to sit out for just that game, or the rest of the season. Inquiring minds want to know!
Can basketball players play a certain amount of games and still redshirt like football? Or is his different cause of medical?
So, to summarize the CONFIRMED news -Handlogten WAS supposed to come back (Per Chris Harry) -Changed his mind at some point between yesterday and today (Per ESPN) -Can come back at any time (Per Todd Golden) -Decision is 100% Handlogten's at this point. (Per Todd Golden)
Fake Japper was reporting from Nothing Close to the Truth News. Lawyer for the news agency (Hugh Lewis Dewey with Dewey Cheatum & Howe, LLP) was quoted that his client was 110% certain of the accuracy of his report until it became obvious that the report was not accurate. His confidence level was then reduced to 107% and he decided to run with the story anyway. “That’s how it’s done in the fake news industry” said Japper.
That just wouldn’t be fair. I think Chinyelu is better than most expected. Guy is raw on offense but he’s still shown he can do damage in the post when he gets it on the block. I think his defensive prowess was as advertised. Our one weakness probably is finishing more inside, and Samuel was very skilled there. But as i said, that just wouldn’t be fair. Handlogten back is potentiality interesting. More beef to rotate at the 5 and 5 more fouls. But I don’t think it changes the outlook too much because he has sort of similar strengths and weaknesses. If he were 100% healthy you’d expect him and Chinyelu to pretty well split minutes at the 5. Their per 40 minutes is almost identical - 10ppg and 14rpg.
There must be a pretty big psychological component to his decision too. Imagine doing what he did to his leg the last time he played, and coming in at the middle of the SEC season. Physically cleared but perhaps some mental and psychological barriers still to be cleared by him personally. I really hope he does make that jump. You could see he was a hell of a lot more serious on the sidelines today as the reality of maybe playing again is settling in.
