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Shuler expected to play against Arkansas despite foot injury

Ole Miss returns to the floor on Saturday at home against Arkansas after suffering its first loss in nearly two months, dropping an 83-69 decision to LSU in The Pavilion.

The most significant news coming out of the game was regarding the health of sophomore point guard Devontae Shuler, who Kermit Davis said has been dealing with a stress reaction in his foot for the last two weeks. Davis said after the game that Shuler would be re-evaluated and could miss time.

On Thursday, Davis was able to offer a better prognosis.

“We expect him to play,” Kermit Davis said. “He is not going to practice today. He will be limited tomorrow and we will just continue to give him treatment and try to get him to games.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BNnqLwNDbg

Kermit Davis said the location on the stress fracture being on the top portion of his foot is favorable. Shuler has been and will continue to wear a walking boot when he is not on the floor and the staff believes the stress reaction is responding well to the treatment. Kermit Davis mentioned the possibility of limiting Shuler’s minutes, but he is arguably the most irreplaceable piece on the team, making a minutes restriction all the more consequential. 

“I tried to the other night a little bit,” Kermit Davis said. “I do not know ether he will start or not, we will see how it goes and how he feels when he warms up. I know he is going to do his part and work hard in rehab, be right there in practice every day and try to do the conditioning he can do.”

With Shuler’s absence at practice, D.C. Davis has gotten more reps at point guard behind Breein Tyree, who is the de facto back up with freshman Franco Miller on the shelf for the year for a knee injury. 

The injury didn’t occur on any specific play, but rather came about via constant wear-and-tear throughout the season. Pain tolerance will be the biggest factor in all of this and Shuler’s is high according to Davis.

“I know this: Devontae Shuler has a good pain tolerance,” Kermit Davis said. “ He is a tough guy. (Athletic trainer) Andrew (Beyke) and those guys have done a really good job with him. I stay out of that equation, coach the guys we have and always preparing for things that could happen.”

Tipoff on Saturday against Arkansas is slated for noon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c5CE3TKTa0

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