Roll update
UCLA wing Michael Roll is playing pickup games in the men's gym, but it does not mean all is well with his ailing left foot.
I spoke to Roll the other day and he said he was still experiencing discomfort in his foot, and he had to take a day or two off every few days to let it rest. Citing word he received from his doctors, he is optimistic he will be ready when practice begins in October, but he added there are no guarantees.
He said the plantar fascia completely snapped in his foot, so scar tissue must grow back to replace it. He said he was told the discomfort (and sometimes pain) is from the scar tissue, and the only way his foot will fully heal is with rest.
When I asked him if he plans on taking a few weeks off during the summer so his foot can fully heal, he said he may do that.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
I sure hope these pickup games are with the blessing of his doctor. I hate to think these pickup games might jeopardize this season. Roll seems like a bright guy though, so I'm going to assume its ok.
I think signing Roll was beneficial to the program when it happened, but the quality of UCLA's guard recruits has increased since then. I would be surprised if he returns to full health anytime soon and that he would provide a significant contribution even then since I don't believe his 3-pt. accuracy was exceptional enough to offset his lack of quickness. I know he is well-liked by his teammates, but he needs to improve his shooting if he's going to play significant minutes, especially now that Love is gone.
hogs i think you unfairly pigeonhole Roll into the role of being a pure shooter. As I remember, he was never a 100% knockdown shooter, but was among the better passers on the team before he went down and was in line for a starting position last year over a lottery pick before the injury.
I certainly hope that he can recover and definitely think that taking a few weeks off is worth it. The cardiovascular conditioning can come, but if you're injured, why not let it heal? With all the inexperience coming in right now, experienced players who know what Coach Howland wants are like gold.
If he can't shoot, he shouldn't be on the court. With all the talent in the backcourt, I don't see Roll playing much this year barring injuries.