Early comeback from injury by Johnson boosts U lineup

Jeffrey Thompson, Star Tribune

Damian Johnson is expected to make his season debut for the Gophers tonight.

Damian Johnson is expected to play tonight despite having two fingers on his left hand bandaged.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 22, 2008 - 1:08 AM

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GOPHERS AT COLORADO STATE

9 p.m. • Fort Collins, Colo. • No TV (830-AM)

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Damian Johnson didn't think he would have a chance to play so soon.

But with two key post players -- Ralph Sampson III and Jonathan Williams -- expected to be out for tonight's game at Colorado State, Johnson's return from a broken left hand couldn't come at a better time.

The junior forward was projected as a starter before he broke his left (nonshooting) hand. The break came when his hand got caught in a teammate's jersey in a mid-October practice. Doctors initially told Johnson he could miss up to six weeks.

He might end up playing a lot in the Gophers' first road game of the season. Williams is expected to be out until December after surgery to repair a hernia, and Sampson is expected to sit out because of strep throat.

"I've been waiting on this for a while now," Johnson said Friday. "This is the first week I really got to practice. I got hurt on the first day of real practice. I've just been real eager to get out on the court."

Johnson, who will play today with two fingers bandaged, became the Gophers' biggest surprise last season when he averaged 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds while leading the team with 46 blocks. Even with junior college transfer Paul Carter -- a similarly lengthy, multitalented forward -- filling in, the team still has missed the game-changing scoring and defensive ability Johnson displayed a year ago.

In the NABC Classic, the Gophers had trouble stopping perimeter players from attacking the basket, as both Georgia State and Bowling Green made second-half runs. And Georgia State outrebounded the Gophers 34-29, while Bowling Green was within three rebounds (41-38).

Gophers coach Tubby Smith said Johnson adds "athleticism, energy and experience," and he is hopeful Johnson can help the team clean up some of its early shortcomings, especially on defense.

"He's a guy that really has a passion for it," Smith said of Johnson. "He works at both ends of the court, especially at the defensive end. And I thought that's where he'll have the biggest impact."

Johnson admits that he lost some of that passion after breaking a bone for the first time in his life. Even though he had injured his left hand, he didn't feel like shooting.

Not long after, friend and teammate Kevin Payton saw him moping around and asked him why he wasn't practicing during his off time. Johnson tried to use his injury as an excuse. But Payton reminded him that he could still work on a lot of skills, including his jump shot.

Payton should know. He missed his freshman season because of a shoulder injury and turned to Johnson for motivation.

Payton said he is happy to see Johnson back on the floor.

"You look at the boxscore, you look at every stat, that's what Damian brings to the table," Payton said. "Any given night, he can light it up."

After Payton's pep talk, Johnson said he began to prepare at a more feverish pace and believes that has what allowed him to return ahead of the initial six-week prediction.

"It was real tough," Johnson said. "I'm not used to sitting out at all. ... It's real tough sitting down and watching it when you feel like you can make a stop and help the team out."

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