Alabama center Cliff Omoruyi expected to play against Ole Miss despite ankle injury
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama center Cliff Omoruyi exited Saturday night’s game against Texas A&M with an ankle injury early in the second half, but came back to finish the game after only missing a few minutes.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats gave a positive update on Omoruyi’s status after Monday’s practice, looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against No. 21 Ole Miss.
“I thought Cliff was tough. He practiced in a limited role today,” Oats said. “I expect him to go tomorrow. He was good for us after he twisted his ankle on Saturday.”
Omoruyi drew praise from his head coach following his performance against the 10th-ranked Aggies on Saturday, finishing with double-digit rebounds after returning from his injury in the second half.
It was the latest in a string of productive games for Omoruyi since SEC play started. Through three games in league play, Omoruyi is averaging 9.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting over 85 percent from the field, all improvements on his season averages.
“He played a long time in the same system (Rutgers), significantly slower than ours, differently on defense. It took him a while to get used to our pace, get comfortable in the system,” Oats said. “The less you have to think, the more instinctual, the more aggressive. His game needs to be aggressive, attacking, instinctual, athletic. Getting up and catching lobs. He’s finding his spots in our offense a little bit better, and defensively he’s been good. I’m really happy with Cliff’s play.”
Oats spoke extremely highly of Omoruyi’s character, in addition to the compliments he’s given his play and toughness of late.
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“I love him as a kid. I’ve loved him as a kid since the day I met him,” Oats said. “If you guys ever get to sit down and talk to him, he’s such a great young man to talk to. He wants to do well, he’s an unbelievable person that way. I just think he had to figure out how he can help this team win. No complaining from him, anyone in his camp, just ‘What do I need to do to help this team win?’ I think those kind of guys end up figuring it out eventually.”
Oats updates Houston Mallette’s injury
Oats also provided an update on guard Houston Mallette‘s ongoing knee issues that caused him to miss significant time over the summer and held him out of the last game.
“Houston had two really bad knees when he came in,” Oats said. “He’s made a ton of progress on them since he got here. They continue to have to be evaluated and he goes backwards on some stuff. He’s still got a limited practice deal so we’re gonna keep him out tomorrow.”
With Mallette out and Omoruyi active, Alabama will again be at 10 available scholarship players for the game against Ole Miss, which will tip off at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
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