Knights' Guard Status Uncertain After Recent Win
As the Knights gear up for a crucial road trip, the status of their key guards remains uncertain. Riley Kugel, the team's leading scorer, was seen limping at the end of Tuesday's victory, with trainers quickly attending to him. Meanwhile, Carmelo Pacheco was sidelined before the game, still recovering from a concussion sustained during the second half against West Virginia.
Coach Johnny Dawkins expressed uncertainty about Kugel's condition but promised to get updates from the medical team soon. "I'm not sure what happened," Dawkins admitted.
"He's probably with our trainer right now. I'll find out more after I leave here."
Kugel, known for his explosive scoring ability, has been a vital asset for the Knights, averaging 14 points per game. However, he's hit a rough patch, shooting just 28.9% from the field and 23.5% from beyond the arc over the last five games, averaging 9.8 points.
On a brighter note, Dawkins provided a positive update on Pacheco, praising his contributions this season. "Carmelo has been terrific for us, and we definitely missed him," Dawkins said. "He's still day-to-day, but I'm confident he'll be back to help us soon."
Pacheco has been a key sharpshooter off the bench, boasting a 40% three-point shooting average. His timely threes have been crucial in maintaining leads against formidable opponents like Arizona State and Texas Tech.
The Knights have faced their share of injuries during conference play. The absence of forward Jamichael Stillwell and center Jeremy Foumena previously tested their front court's resilience. Now, potentially missing Kugel's scoring and Pacheco's shooting could impact their strategy as they head to Utah.
Updates on both guards are anticipated before the Knights face the Utah Utes, with fans eagerly awaiting news on their recovery.