Wichita State senior Matt Braeuer played H.O.R.S.E with assistant coach Earl Grant and graduate assistant Dana Ford after practice on Friday. Grant won two games. Ford won one. What matters is that Braeuer felt well enough to shoot, laugh and move around.
Braeuer is close to symptom free after missing seven games (Saturday’s Bradley game will be the eighth) after suffering a concussion on Dec. 29. Decision time on his basketball future is close. After Saturday’s game, he and his family will conference call with his doctor to discuss the risks. Then he needs to pass the concussion tests and make a choice.
He is scoring a 2 on the daily concussion Q&A test administered by trainers. Once he gets to 0, he can move to the next step. He has to take the test again after exerting himself. Then he takes an impact test on a computer to measure response time, memory, decision making and clarity of thought. It’s not easy. I took it a couple weeks ago. You can fool the written test. You can’t fool this one. Every WSU athlete takes it to establish a baseline.
If Braeuer gets through those tests, it will be time to decide. He said he is leaning toward a return to basketball. But nothing is for sure. If he does come back, it will take time to get in shape.
“If I do play again, it’s going to be a difficult road getting back into shape,” he said. “I really haven’t done anything. When I’m just out here shooting and not even running or anything…my legs get tired.”
I also talked to Mantas Griskenas and Bret Michael about their injuries Friday after practice. Griskenas expects to rehab and play next season. Michael hopes to practice soon and play Tuesday against Missouri State. I will have more on all three players in The Eagle the next two days.