Mike Brey 'Won't Force It' With Bonzie Colson On Senior Night
Ever since senior forward Bonzie Colson went down with a foot injury, the final week of the regular season was a timeframe Mike Brey mentioned as the best-case scenario for his star player.
Brey also stated he hoped to at the very worst start Colson on Senior Night and sub him out quickly to allow him to get game action at Purcell Pavilion one more time in front of the Irish faithful.
That remains the case for Wednesday night when Notre Dame hosts Pittsburgh for the team’s final home game of the 2017-2018 campaign. But, Colson will be participating in practice over the next two days and could see more than a ceremonial start against the Panthers.
Colson shed the boot he was in a couple weeks ago and has been working to get back on the court working on strengthening his lower body. How the senior reacts in practice leading into Wednesday will determine his ultimate status for Wednesday.
“We will get him in on some 5-on-5 today,” Brey said this afternoon. “His strength numbers and range of motion numbers are better … We want to be smart … He’s been doing a lot of individual stuff with Coach Ryan Humphrey and a lot of different things with Tony Rolinski jumping on that leg … I think today we try a little bit of 5-on-5 and see how he feels.”
But, Brey is still be cautious with Colson and will not force it come Wednesday if the senior isn’t quite ready.
“Think you’re very unsure about what that would mean for Wednesday,” Brey explained. “I think you have to see how much of 5-on-5 he wants to be in and how he feels tomorrow after it.
“I still would like to start him if he’s comfortable with that. Even if we feel he can’t play and give us minutes, I would love for this crowd to be able to give him a heck of an ovation on Thursday. He deserves it.”
Colson is of course chomping at the bit to get back on the court, but he knows slow playing his return is the right course of action.
“I’m feeling good,” Colson said Monday. “I’m trying to ease and get back into everything slowly … I know I’m on limited minutes right now. I can’t go out there and play 30 minutes or 35-plus. I haven’t played, so that’s the smartest thing to do.”
The excitement level to simply get back on the floor in a jersey in front of the Irish faithful is high for Colson.
“I’ve been waiting for it,” Colson stated. “I’ve been really eager … It’s going to be a special moment.
“I think it’s going to be a fun atmosphere to play in. I think the fans are going to crazy. I know it’s been a long time since I’ve been out there. I’m excited to go out there, put my uniform on, put my jersey on … it’s been awhile since that.”
Colson will also get a chance to start with fellow seniors Matt Farrell, Martinas Geben and Austin Torres. The group will be looking for their 100th win in an Irish uniform.
“It’s great,” Colson said of being back with the group. “Me, Marty and Matt came in together … Having us come in developing a strong relationship on and off the court and us playing … We’ve learned a lot about each other, so it’s going to be great to come out here and play with each other and get a win.
“We just worked, we grinded … We just got better each year and I think that’s important. Trusting Coach Brey and just playing like we have nothing to lose. I think we went out and played like that every game.”
Brey believes even limited minutes from Colson, who averaged 21.4 points and 10.4 rebounds in the first 14 games of the season, would be a huge boost for the Irish and their fans.
“It would be an unbelievable pickup certainly for this crowd,” Brey stated. “I think his teammates are really anxious and want him back for that psychological pickup and edge. I would love to get to it Wednesday, certainly won’t force it.
“But I would love to get back to it this season because even if it’s 10 or 15 minutes, I think that can really help our overall energy and confidence.”
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