Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

Duke

Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

Nolan Smith collects a rebound for Duke against UNC in Durham.

Feb 26, 2009

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Sophomore Nolan Smith is out indefinitely after suffering a mild concussion in the second half of Duke’s 78-67 win over Maryland on Wednesday. The Upper Marlboro, Md., native was examined by the Duke medical staff upon returning to Durham on Wednesday night and again on Thursday.

“Nolan’s condition improved overnight, but we are going to proceed cautiously,” said head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “Our medical staff will continue to monitor his progress and he will return to the rotation when he is fully healthy. Nolan is an important part of this team and we are looking forward to his return.”

Smith is averaging 8.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game this season with 14 double figure scoring games. He is also shooting 85.0 percent (51-of-60) from the free throw line for the year.

With Smith out for the time being, Duke will have to lean more heavilly on senior Greg Paulus for minutes at the point.

After freshman Elliot Williams earned a spot in the starting five, Paulus seemed to be the odd man out of the Devils' two-man point guard rotation.

However, with Smith only able to play four minutes in Wednesday night's win over Maryland because of the injury, Paulus saw his minute total rise to 13, just one less minute than he'd played in the team's previous two games combined.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Virginia Tech.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

Duke will miss Smith. Hope he can get back soon. I have not been able to read up on the games in a few days. Maryland fans remind me of something I flush down the toilet. When a player gets hurt at Duke or UNC everyone always gets quite and then applauds when that player get up. It does not matter what team they play for. Just hope that both schools continue to show the class and sportsmanship that sets our programs apart from many others. We enjoy talking smack to each other but at least we keep it in good spirit.

RE: Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

First meeting - +41 (wow)
Second meeting - +9
Average - +25

Maryland fans can take all of their stats and do what they want. Do not hate on DUKE or Unc because Smith and Lawson could not be retained in their beloved state of Maryland!

GO DUKE!!!

RE: Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

well, technically, dukes smith and carolinas lawson... apples to oranges

RE: Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

19tarheel75...
Duke's Smith Out......... By the way, I hope Smith recovers because I don't want Duke to cry "Smith was hurt" when they come to The Univesity of North Carolina and lose-again.

So what you're saying is... you don't want US to do the same thing KaraWHINA fans did when we won and Ty Lwson was out????

RE: Duke's Smith out indefinitely after suffering mild concussion against Maryland

dml7009...
Well now that Beeker's out for a couple of games, if we could just get Animal (singler) and Ralph (henderson), the whole muppet band would break up.

I'm impressed with your superior knowledge of all the muppet characters.
Gold clap...

WRAL Sports Fan

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