Basketball Big Guys Update
Ike Butts and Josh Hunter, key post players for Appalachian State, both hope to be able to practice without limitation this week in preparation for the team’s opening game, which is little more than two weeks away.
Hunter, who had surgery this summer to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, is planning to return to full practice today. Butts, who had surgery at the same time for a dislocated right kneecap, said he could get the green light later this week.
Both have been doing drills, and say they just need to get in game shape.
“I’ve been doing some walkthroughs, so I pretty much know the plays, I just need to get some running in and get back in game shape,” said the Butts, a 6-10 junior who has worked to keep his weight down. He’s at 283 pounds, near last year’s playing weight and well below the 300-plus when he first arrived at Appalachian.
Butts averaged 8.5 points a game and led the Mountaineers in rebounding with 8.5 a game last season. Hunter, a 6-6, 245-pound senior, averaged 8.9 points and 7.2 rebounds last season.
“They just need some game situations, live situations going against contact,” said Coach Buzz Peterson, whose team has had nine practices. “It’s so different not having those two players out there that you need. They were two dominant inside players last year.”
Players say that the transition to Peterson, in his first season back at ASU’s coach, and a new staff is going well.
“He’s a different-type coach with a different coaching style,” Butts said. “I like him. I respect what he does with us. He works us hard and I think it will pay off.”
Guard Donald Sims said: “There’s a lot of emphasis on defense, and we’re doing things different. It’s a little more intense – everything from guarding screens, and being physical is a point of emphasis. I think we’ll be a well-conditioned, more physical team.”