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SMU Basketball injury update: Matt Cross getting therapy for back injury

On3 imageby: Billy Embody11/08/24BillyEmbody
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SMU F Matt Cross. (Matt Visinsky / On3)

SMU forward Matt Cross, who was injured in the season opener against Tarleton State on Monday, is progressing with rest, head coach Andy Enfield said Thursday.

“He hurt his back the first game the first possession and he has progressed throughout the week,” Enfield said. “We expect him to try to play on Monday, but we have another three days of rest and therapy. His back injury is a little tricky sometimes and so he’s resting.” 

The Mustangs took care of business against Florida A&M on Thursday, winning 102-73 to improve to 2-0. With Cross and big man Samet Yigitoglu out, the Mustangs are a bit thin in the front court, but at some point in the near future, the program expects to have both players available.

Cross played 1:09 for the Mustangs in the 96-62 win, missing one shot. While on the floor, his back “tightened up” and Enfield brought him out. Cross returned to the bench in the 2nd half in street clothes.

SMU’s two true freshmen, guard Chance Puryear and forward Mitchell Holmes, have yet to play for the Mustangs. Holmes is injured, Enfield said after Monday’s game, but the staff is evaluating Puryear now to see if he goes into a ball game.

“There is a chance we’ll put in our two freshmen so we’ll evaluate that here coming up.”

SMU is back on the floor at Moody Coliseum Monday at 7 p.m. CT against UNC-Greensboro on ACCNX.

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