JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – East Tennessee State University men’s basketball team could receive a major boost with Jocolby Davis’ possible return to action this weekend.
Davis, a 6-foot-1, 165-pound senior point guard, has yet to play during 2008-09 season because of a wrist injury he suffered in Atlanta, Ga., during a carjacking attempt before the start of the 2008-09 campaign.
Davis is expected to meet today with Buccaneers coach Murry Bartow, and the two will decide whether Davis will play Saturday against Lipscomb. Tipoff is 4 p.m. inside the Memorial Center.
“It’s 50-50,” Bartow said. “A lot of it will be as to what he wants to do.”
The possibility remains that Davis could receive a medical redshirt this season, sit out the remainder of the year, and then return to lead a young Bucs squad next season in what will most likely be a rebuilding period, following the departure of key seniors Courtney Pigram and Kevin Tiggs.
But Bartow said Davis, a junior college transfer, has yet to file any paperwork with the NCAA necessary to apply for a medical redshirt.
“What I’ve got to look at is what’s best for the program,” Bartow said. “And then, certainly secondly, what I’ve got to look at is what’s best for Jocolby Davis.”
Bartow’s dilemma over whether to play or redshirt Davis this season has shadowed the Bucs (11-5, 5-1 Atlantic Sun) all season. Since Davis’ injury, the senior guard has received multiple medical evaluations, while Bartow has wavered as to whether he should use Davis’ final year of eligibilty this year.
Davis averaged 4.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.1 rebounds last season, playing in 31 games and starting 17, and is expected to receive his degree in May.
The senior Buc looked strong and played freely in limited action during ETSU practice Thursday afternoon.
Davis is a smooth, quick, penetrating guard, and Bartow referred to him as ETSU’s best perimeter defender. Davis was slated to hold down the starting point guard position for the Bucs this season, following an impressive showing during a preseason trip to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The addition of Davis would give ETSU a major boost heading into the stretch run of Atlantic Sun conference and postseason play, and could help push the Buccaneers toward their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2003-04.
“If he does play, he could certainly give us a whole different look at both ends of the court,” Bartow said. “He gives us … a level of toughness that we really don’t have without him. He’s a tough kid. He’s an experienced kid. … He can really help you offensively, and he can really help you defensively.”
If Davis joined the Bucs’ lineup, he would play point guard, and be backed up by Pigram and freshman Adam Sollazzo (1.8 points, 1.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds per game). Pigram, a 6-foot-1 combo guard averaging 19.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds, would then be moved to the starting shooting guard position. Davis utilizes a classic penetrate-dish-and-create style on the court, while Pigram is more of a shoot-first guard.
Davis has expressed interest to play this season, but has deferred to the decisions of doctors. He reportedly received an update on the status of his injured wrist in early January, following ETSU’s 88-57 win over North Florida on Jan. 5.
“I’ve got to listen to him. What does he really want? How healthy is he?” Bartow said. “I’ve got to listen to the doctors. Is he really ready to play? Is he able to play? You put all that information and then you listen to all that and decide what you want to do.”
btsmith@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2569
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