Penn State dealing with injuries heading into matchup with Michigan

At this point in the season, Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said he thinks every team in the country is banged up.

He’s trying to keep his players fresh as the Nittany Lions deal with a handful of injuries. Penn State guard Shep Garner rolled his ankle Monday against Ohio State, and Chambers said forward Payton Banks has been playing through a back injury “for a couple games.”

Chambers said Garner did not practice Wednesday and that his status is uncertain for the Nittany Lions’ game against Michigan at Madison Square Garden at noon Saturday. The coach said Banks has also been out the last few days.

Penn State freshman guard Josh Reaves remains out since being diagnosed with mononucleosis earlier this month.

The injuries and illness have left Penn State thin at practice. And Chambers has made adjustments.

“I know some guys are still practicing three hours,” Chambers said at the team’s media availability Thursday. “And I just think at the end of January going into February, I don’t think that’s the best solution for us right now. We’re hurt. We’re banged up, and we got too many guys out.”

Garner, who has started every game this season, injured his ankle early in the team’s loss to Ohio State on Monday. He played 30 minutes and finished 1 for 9 from the field against the Buckeyes.

Chambers said he wasn’t sure if Garner would practice Thursday.

“We’ll evaluate him tomorrow,” Chambers said. “I’m hoping to have him Saturday but we’ll see. More of a game-time decision there.”

The coach then revealed Banks has been hurting, too.

He said Banks dealt with a stress fracture in high school, and he said the team wants to make sure Banks is healthy with that injury history looming.

“We’ll see where he is tomorrow as far as where that back stands,” Chambers said of Banks, who has also started every game for the Nittany Lions.

Chambers also provided an update on Reaves, who has missed the last four games.

“He’s at practice every day,” Chambers said. “We’re hoping to get him on the bike a little bit. He seems to feel much better, but you never know with mono. I think we’ll see, we’ll get him checked up again next week and see where he is. Mentally, he’s keeping a great attitude and he’s being real positive.”

Chambers has shortened practices, which feature more shooting work and 5-on-0 situations — “I’m a lot smarter these days than I was when I was a rookie coach here,” he said of making adjustments to keep his players fresh. He said the players are getting massages and cold tub treatments.

And they have to get their rest and sleep to be ready for games.

It’s a test of the team’s mental toughness.

“The rest of us got to pick each other up,” Penn State center Jordan Dickerson said.

On the road

Penn State (11-10, 2-6 Big Ten) gave up a home game to play at Madison Square Garden as part of the doubleheader with both schools’ men’s hockey programs.

It is part of a three-game stretch away from home for the Nittany Lions. Penn State lost at Ohio State on Monday, takes on Michigan in New York on Saturday and plays at Iowa on Wednesday.

“I think the positives in this situation outweigh the negatives,” Chambers said. “I mean, are we in desperate need for a home game right now? No doubt. There’s no doubt.”

The Nittany Lions will have played six road games and one neutral-site game at Madison Square Garden in their first 10 conference matchups.

“It’s been a tough month for travel on these kids and you feel for them,” Chambers said. “But I do think that the experience (Saturday) is something that will last a lifetime, that they will always remember.

“Despite any outcomes, if they go and play at Madison Square Garden, it’s something prestigious, it’s something that hopefully it’s a great memory for them.”

Watkins bringing energy at practice

Penn State freshman forward Mike Watkins was not cleared to play by the NCAA this season, so he’s had to make his mark at practice.

“He brings a lot of energy and work ethic,” Dickerson said. “So when we’re playing against him in practice, it pretty much helps prep us before games and stuff and get a feel of how we’re going to be playing the bigs in the next game.”

Penn State senior forward Donovon Jack added that Watkins is “very long” and “very strong.” Jack said it’s a battle every day with the 6-foot-8 freshman.

And Jack has enjoyed helping Watkins and redshirt sophomore forward Julian Moore develop.

“It’s always fun to help teach people,” Jack said. “I’m an older brother, too.”

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Penn State dealing with injuries heading into matchup with Michigan."