Feb. 1, 2006

Columbia, SC – USC head basketball coach Dave Odom announced today that junior forward Renaldo Balkman is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game at Arkansas (Feb. 4, 3 pm on JP) after suffering a sprained left knee in practice on Monday.

“After talking with the doctors and our medical staff, I am going to be very careful not to bring Renaldo back until we are confident his knee is completely recovered and able to withstand the physical demands of SEC basketball,” said Dave Odom. “The doctors are monitoring his progress daily and a final decision will be made closer to Saturday’s game-time. Along with Renaldo, his coaches and teammates feel relieved that no serious damage was sustained in the fall during practice.”

Balkman injured his left knee during play early in practice on Monday. After x-rays and an MRI, USC’s team doctors and medical staff examined him and determined it was a knee sprain.

He did not finish practice, didn’t practice on Tuesday and the team is not practicing on Wednesday. Balkman is rehabbing his knee twice a day with USC trainer Dennis Williams and the medical staff.

Balkman leads the team with 6.3 rpg and is third in scoring with 10.3 ppg. He has played in all 20 of USC’s games this season, starting 13. USC is 11-9 and 2-5 in the SEC.