Purdue's Isaac Haas says he'll be game-time decision against Texas Tech, Matt Painter says not so fast | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Thursday / March 28.
  • Purdue’s Isaac Haas says he’ll be game-time decision against Texas Tech, Matt Painter says not so fast

    Share Zagsblog Share Zagsblog
    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    BOSTON —  Purdue senior center Isaac Haas says he’ll be a game-time decision for the Sweet 16 matchup with Texas Tech on Friday.

    Boilermakers coach Matt Painter says not so fast.

    “Legally, I’ll be an option but it’s really up to Coach Painter,” Haas said Friday in the Purdue locker room at TD Garden.

    Painter, speaking to reporters outside the Purdue locker room, said he didn’t think Haas would play, but it’s hard to know if he just didn’t want to tip off Texas Tech. Painter’s rule is that Haas will have to be able to grab a two-handed rebound and shoot a right-handed jumper.

    “The last two days he hasn’t practiced so that tells me that that’s not going to happen,” Painter said. “I’m not a doctor, but you’ve got to be able to watch as a coach and say, ‘Hey, can I get him out there to help our team?’ I don’t want to get him out there and hurt our team.”

    Asked when he’ll decide, Painter said, “Well, he hasn’t practiced the last two days, there’s no decision to be made.”

    Haas broke his elbow last Friday against Cal-State Fullerton and was ruled out for the season. He tried to come back for Sunday’s game against Butler, but his brace was not NCAA-approved.

    Now he has a new brace designed by Purdue mechanical engineering students.

    Haas is anxious to help his team.

    “If it came down to it, I would fight through 10 times as much [pain] even if it was just for one minute, or however long he wants me to play,” Haas said

    “I would do it any day for these guys.”

    Photo: Getty Images

     

    Written by

    [email protected]

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

  • } });
    X