Bruner Expected Back For SEC Stretch Run
The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team is off to a historic 8-0 run in conference play and has found its way into the AP top 10 after beating both LSU and Mississippi State last week. The Tide maintains a three-game lead on second place Missouri as it nears the halfway point on the SEC season.
Alabama has kept its hot start going despite losing graduate transfer, forward Jordan Bruner to a right meniscus injury in the first Kentucky game of the year on Jan. 12. Bruner was averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 35.3 % from the 3-point line in SEC play prior to going down with an injury.
Alabama head basketball coach Nate Oats joined "Hey Coach" tonight and gave an update on the 6-foot-10 forward.
"Obviously Bruner's not going to be back for a little bit yet but, you know, even Bruner's had some good workouts, been able to shoot after practice and stuff. He's looking good, hopeful to get him back closer to the four rather than the six on the initial four to six week deal," said Oats.
A four week return for Bruner would bring him back to the Tide roughly Wednesday Feb. 10 meaning he could possibly play the subsequent Saturday at home against the Georgia Bulldogs. Alabama still have five more league games after the Georgia matchup meaning lots of time for the Yale transfer to work himself back into the lineup.
No matter when he comes back, Bruner expects to remain a large contributor for the Tide, giving the team length in the post and another shooting threat on the offensive end.
All-SEC First Team
Preseason All-SEC 2nd Team