Have to ask it: Is Chris injured?

[GIGAFAN99]

Without the defense-allergic Friars, he's 0 for the month. And it's not just that he's not joining the "Big 3" but he's actually the fifth-best player on the floor right now. If Vaughn or Clark are having an off night, at least we know they're contributing on defense. Chris is not.

So I'm really wondering if he's 100% because he's clearly a different player since the calendar turned to February.

[FrazierFanatic]

I notice that Chris has had lesser games against ODU, USF, Providence and today - is it a focus problem in games against lower rated opponents? Trying to do too much? Or just a coincidence? Whatever it is, hopefully he will lead us against a huge opponent Thursday.

[3xhoya]

I will not speculate on whether or not Chris is injured. However, I will say that I noticed he was very out of breath during his missed free throws. Between FT's he was taking very large breaths and seemed like he was having trouble to catch his breath again. The people I was with at the game all noticed this and asked me if he was OK. I was actually hoping JTIII would pull him to give him a breather because he looked like he could really use it.

[tashoya]

I don't know whether or not he's injured but I do know that he's got a little sidespin back on his jumper.

[DanMcQ]

No speculation on player injuries etc. please.

2/17/10: Liz Clarke's Syracuse pregame article indicates Wright was battling a cold on Sunday:

Wright, battling a cold, wasn't his best against the Scarlet Knights, finishing with six points on 2-of-8 shooting. But none of his teammates is pointing a finger over the 71-68 loss, which ultimately turned on a defensive breakdown that enabled Rutgers's Dane Miller to grab an offensive rebound for a tip-in with 19 seconds remaining.

"It's a team effort," junior forward Julian Vaughn said. "The whole team didn't do well. You can't blame a loss on one player if he doesn't play well. If he's not having one of his better games, people need to be able to pick up the slack."

Still, Wright holds himself accountable.

"I should have been more of a vocal leader out there," said Wright, who played 36 minutes despite his illness. "I feel like I kind of let my team down. I was confident the whole game that we were going to come out with a win."

Thursday offers a shot at redemption, and Wright, who says he's nearly over his cold, was all smiles Tuesday as players prepared to meet with Coach John Thompson III to break down the Rutgers loss and review strategy against Syracuse.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/17/AR2010021704771.html

[tashoya]

Thanks for the update Dan. Lots of rumors flying the past couple of days that don't mean jack as long as we play as a team. When Chris provides the spark and makes this team better by driving and dishing, handling and scoring, and directing the younger guys, this Hoya team can beat any team in the nation. One Rutgers loss cannot convince me otherwise. I look forward to him being back at full strength against the Cuse. Let's git er done! HOYA SAXA!

[SFHoya99]

Chris has always been a streaky shooter.

He was very hot and cold last year. Could he be injured? Sure. Could he also be in a cold streak? Yes.

[strummer8526]

"I was confident the whole game that we were going to come out with a win."

The team's problem in one sentence.

[FrazierFanatic]

The problem was not whether they were confident they would win - any good team should be confident it will win EVERY game. The problem occurs when tnhey become OVERconfident they will win. Don't know if that was the deal against Rutgers or whether we just didn't bring our A game. I know we will bring everything we have tonight.

[GUJook97]

The system is very much predicated on being confident that your are going to win all game long. If we don't continue to run the system when we are down, we are dead in the water. It is what I loved about the Providence game, and what bothered me about pretty much every game last year. Just keep running the 2007 Regional Final on a loop.

[JohnnyJones]

Feb 18, 2010 9:50:04 GMT -5 GUJook97 said:

If we don't continue to run the system when we are down, we are dead in the water. It is what I loved about the Providence game, and what bothered me about pretty much every game last year. Just keep running the 2007 Regional Final on a loop.

Running the system when we get down can work and result in Ws, but it does require that you play good defense and get a lot of stops, which we have not been doing recently.

[lichoya68]

good question chris said he had the flu BE WELL AND TOUGH CHRIS AND A GREAT POINT MAN NEED IT BABY NEED IT BEAT CUSE

[NCHoya]

It is rare for the Hoyas to make any excuse for their poor play, other than standard coach speak from JT3, so I have to assume Chris's play was indeed affected by his cold. Especially if he was having trouble breathing. Begs the question - why did he play 36 minutes if stamina would be an issue?

Looking for a much improved effort tonight across the board.