Mountain West Notebook: Nevada Wolf Pack’s Drew to have surgery

Lindsey Drew, who ruptured his Achilles in the win over Boise State, is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Nevada coach Eric Musselman didn’t rule out the possibility Drew could redshirt next season.

“The decision on going forward is his, meaning Lindsey, the doctors, and his mom and dad,” Musselman told reporters on Monday. “I talked to his mom for a while (on the road trip) and I talked to coach Drew (Larry, assistant head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers). Lindsey is a vital part of what we do today and moving forward.”

The redshirt question came up because rehab from an Achilles injury is lengthy. Musselman said even a miraculous comeback would be at least six months, but 10 months was probably the norm. The Pack coach said sometimes it’s a year before the athlete is 100 percent. Musselman said the above information comes just from what he has read on the subject.

Even 10 months would be late December, and then you have to get into playing shape. It would leave Drew with the prospect of playing a partial schedule or sitting out the entire season and playing maybe up to 30 games in the 2019-20 season.

“It’s completely his decision,” Musselman said. “We want him to get back to being 100 percent.”

Nevada is well equipped at guard next year with Cody Martin, Josh Hall and redshirt transfers Corey Henson, Nisre Zouzoua and Jazz Johnson ready to come on board.

PACK ADDS ANOTHER GRIDDER

Nevada added its second football player in as many weeks when Musselman announced Justin Brent, a senior defensive back, had joined the team.

The 6-2 Brent went through his first practice on Monday, and he was an early arrival. He arrived 60 minutes before practice started.

Elijah Cooks, a wide receiver, and former walk-on David Cunningham joined the team last week. Cunningham played less than a minute, and Muselman said he came close to putting Cooks in.

“I had a long conversation with coach Jay (Norvell),” Musselman said. “I told him before we got Elijah that Jordan (Caroline) was not suiting up in September and that Tre’Shawn Thurman was not playing football. I told him I wasn’t trading, I just wanted to borrow a player or two. Elijah has been great. He’s had a great attitude.

“Too bad baseball hadn’t started, maybe I could have borrowed a guy from T.J. (Bruce). It certainly helps a ton in practice. With about 40 seconds left, I was debating whether to put Elijah in. They have added to our depth.”

How would Caroline and Thurman do on the football field?

“I think Jordan would be all-Mountain West first team,” Musselman said. “Tre’Shawn could be honorable mention and both Martins could be really good wide receivers. Those four could be standouts on any football team in the country.”

Musselman went onto point out Caroline played quarterback in high school.

FRESNO STATE ON A ROLL

The Bulldogs have won four straight heading into the week, and their margin of victory has been 19 points a contest. Jaron Hopkins has stepped up his game, averaging 17 a game in that span. He’s shooting 62 percent from the floor.

Fresno State and Nevada are the only teams in the MW to rank in the top five in scoring offense, scoring defense and margin of victory. The Bulldogs are fifth in offense (78.6), second in defense (68.6) and second in scoring margin at 10 per game.

AZTEC STAR HONORED

Freshman Jalen McDaniels was named the Mountain West Player of the Week after leading the Aztecs to wins over Wyoming and UNLV last weekend.

The 6-9 McDaniels averaged 17 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals last week. And, in 51 minutes of play he made just one turnover.

Against UNLV, he had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. He scored 16 points and grabbed four rebounds against Wyoming. For the week he shot 60.9 percent from the field (14-of-23).

It’s McDaniels’ first POW honor.