The hard cast on Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody's thumb will be removed next week, and he might play in the team's regular season opener against Long Island University on Nov. 12, Irish coach Mike Brey said Wednesday.
"I'm holding out hope that he's able to play in our first game," Brey said. "We'll take a really good look at it next Tuesday when the cast comes off."
Harangody injured his thumb during a pick-up game in practice on Oct. 15.
"I came off of a ball screen and my hand got against someone's hip, and my thumb just went backwards," the sophomore said.
At the time, the prognosis was that Harangody would be out for three to six weeks. At this point, the forward will miss both of the team's exhibition games - Friday against St. Ambrose and Wednesday against St. Edward's - but will certainly be back when the Irish travel to the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virgin Islands Nov. 16.
Brey said a decision will be made on Harangody's status for the Long Island game sometime next week.
In the meantime, Harangody has been trying to work out and practice with the team as best he can without full use of his right hand.
"It's been tough, but there's only one more week, so I can wait I guess," Harangody said. "It could have been a lot worse."
Harangody has used the injury as an opportunity to improve his ball handling with his left hand, something the big forward felt he needed to improve on anyway.
"I've only been working with my left hand and I've been in the gym all the time," he said. "I almost feel more comfortable with my left hand now."
Once he gets the hard cast off, Harangody will most likely wear a soft cast or glove to protect and support his hand during games.
"I'll probably have to have to wear something on it," Harangody said. "I'll probably wear like a leather sort of glove or something."
Harangody said while the injury is not likely to affect his play, he could continue to have pain throughout the season.
"The doctor warned me about it maybe being a recurrence," he said. "But I can't worry about that. I just have to play."
Note:
u Irish junior forward Luke Zeller missed yesterday's practice and was limited today with an ankle injury. Brey said he is expected to be at full speed tomorrow and will play Friday against St. Ambrose.
