Morsell surprises everyone, plays 25 minutes with ankle injury Saturday

Posted on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, 4:15 pm

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By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photo: twitter.com

The last time we saw Casey Morsell, he was being helped off the court at John Paul Jones Arena by veteran trainer Ethan Saliba and associate head coach Jason Williford on Wednesday night. It was in the late stages of the Virginia win over Boston College, after Morsell landed on Eagles forward Nik Popovic’s foot and rolled his ankle.

Rumors spread that Morsell, UVA’s talented freshman, would not be able to play at Pittsburgh on Saturday, and that his situation would be day-to-day thereafter.

By now, no Cavalier fan should be surprised at how Saliba works miracles with Virginia athletes.

Morsell didn’t practice Thursday. He managed to walk and run a little on Friday. Still, it didn’t appear that he would play Saturday.

“I didn’t think he would play,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett admitted after the Cavaliers’ win at Pitt, a game in which Morsell played 25 minutes.

“It kept getting better and better,” Bennett said. “Great treatment, obviously, by Ethan Saliba. That was a game-time decision and I’m glad because we needed him.”

Morsell not only played. He played well, with 7 points, 2 rebounds, an assist, and his always-solid defense.

“Pitt’s so good at attacking the paint and beating you off the dribble, and I thought [Morsell] really spread out and defended well, and he did some nice things offensively,” Bennett said. “He made some free throws and was steady. It was good toughness on his part and we weren’t sure [if he’d be able to play] and I don’t think he was sure, but it felt good in warmups and it was a big shot in the arm for us.”

Virginia should be completely healthy when it goes to Blacksburg for a Wednesday-night battle.