Hoops Notes: Aric Holman returns, I.J. Ready recovering
STARKVILLE — Aric Holman returned to the court for the first time since having knee surgery in September. Mississippi State coach Ben Howland said on Thursday, that Holman has participated in the team’s last three practices.
His recovery limits the freshman to about an hour for each workout.
“He has done a really good job for a guy who hasn’t practiced in three months,” Howland said. “He has a great feel for the game, but he still has a lot of strength he needs to gain in that leg.”
Holman signed with Mississippi State after Howland became the coach. The four-star recruit out of Owensboro, Kentucky would provide much-needed size for the Bulldogs.
“He still has quite a ways to go before he is back at 100 percent where we can throw him into a game,” Howland said. “He looks really good when we are doing half-court stuff in practice. As soon as we start doing up and down stuff, his lack of condition shows up pretty quickly.”
Veterans I.J. Ready and Craig Sword shook their heads in excitement when asked about Holman’s return. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 15.9 points per game with 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 blocks last year as a high school senior.
“He’s looking like Aric again,” Ready said. “He’s a great passer, a shot blocker. Aric, he has a great feel for the game.”
Ready missed Mississippi State’s last two practices with patella tendonitis. An MRI revealed the injury wasn’t serious.
“I’m feeling a little better. It got to one point where I couldn’t even move in practice just because it was locking up on me,” Ready said. “But just being cautious with everything I do.”
Vivians on Naismith watchlist
Victoria Vivians was selected to the Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Thursday.
The sophomore is also on the Wooden Award and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watchlists. All three honors are given to the national player of the year in women’s college basketball.
“I am blessed to be considered with so many great players for this award,” Vivians said in a release. “The Naismith Trophy is such a prestigious award, and to be considered for it is a tremendous honor.”
Vivians has sparked the Bulldogs to a 6-1 record and a pair of Top 10 national rankings, leading the team with a 17.9 average that is fourth in the SEC.
The Carthage native, a preseason first team All-SEC selection by media and coaches, has scored double figures in six-straight games.
Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.