Lobos’ Granger back on the court

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 | 9:43 a.m.

The New Mexico Lobos got a bit of good news on Wednesday when all-Mountain West Conference forward Danny Granger was cleared to practice for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Jan. 10.

The potential first-round NBA pick, who is averaging 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, is still listed as day-to-day for Saturday night's game against UNLV at The Pit.

"He practiced on a limited basis," New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay told the Albuquerque Journal. "I was pleased. He hadn't practiced, it seems, like forever. He's not full strength by any stretch of the imagination."

Granger reportedly was still favoring his left knee during the workout.

"If it were today (Wednesday), I wouldn't play him," McKay told the Journal. "But I'd be a lot closer to playing him today than yesterday."

McKay reiterated during an MWC coaches' conference call on Wednesday that he would not rush his star forward back.

"If he's not ready to play, we will not play him," McKay said. "If he's not ready to play against UNLV (Saturday) and San Diego State (Monday), then we'll wait for Colorado State and Wyoming (the following weekend)."

McKay has no such decision to make on starting point guard Kris Collins, however.

Collins, who left Monday night's loss at BYU with a separated left shoulder, fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot in practice on Wednesday and is likley out for the season.

Collins was averaging 8.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Freshman Darren Prentice (2.5 ppg, 1.0 apg) and sophomore Ryan Wall back him up although there is speculation that versatile swingman Mark Walters also could take over point guard duties.

McKay said he believes that starting center David Chiotti, who left Monday night's loss at BYU in the first half and didn't practice on Wednesday after aggravating a chronic hip flexor injury, will be able to play against the Rebels.