Michael Bennett has experienced injury and rehabilitationbefore. Three games into his first season at Ball State, Bennettinjured his knee, and he was forced to obtain a medical redshirtfor the remainder of the year.
During the 2003 summer, Bennett underwent arthroscopic surgeryon his right knee. In the weeks leading up to the regular season,he sat on the sidelines watching practice. He also missed the firstexhibition game against Team Nike.
"It's probably one of the most frustrating things that a playerhas to go through," Bennett said, referring to the rehabilitationprocess."It's the worst; I wouldn't wish it on anyone that playedsports."
Bennett said he would begin practicing on Monday. Head coach TimBuckley said Bennett's injuries have been unlucky.
"It's been pretty much the same knee, and for the most part he'sbeen able to compete for us," he said. It's just a couple of thingsthat have been unfortunate in that regard. He's been working hard,and we think he will bounce back and be ready to go."
Most of the hard work Bennett has been doing was with trainerTony Cox, and Bennett said he doesn't expect any lingering affectsfrom the injury.
"Me and (Tony Cox) have been working real hard, like twice aday, so I think when I come back it will be all right," Bennettsaid.
Bennett is not the only player the Cardinals have missedthroughout the preseason. Both of their centers Kevin Cates and TomHowland are injured. Howland underwent arthroscopic surgery on hisleft knee, and Cates is suffering from a medical condition, whichhe has not commented about. The coaches and communications staffcannot comment on the condition because of the HIPPA law.
With Cates and Howland out of the lineup, Ball State becomes anundersized team, and Buckley said the absence of the two centerswould affect the structure of the team's defense.
"We're going to have to be more help conscious," Buckley said."We're going to have to do a good job of digging the ball out ofthe post and not allow people to just isolate us down there, andour guards are going to have to rebound the ball."
Both Bennett and Howland will return soon from the kneesurgeries, but Buckley said the return for Cates, who is notpracticing with the team, couldn't be determined.
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