Gatens might play Sunday against South Dakota State

IOWA CITY - Iowa guard Matt Gatens had his cast removed from his left hand Wednesday afternoon and he hopes to return to practice on Friday.

Gatens, a junior Iowa City native, suffered a torn tendon in his left, non-shooting hand on Oct. 26 and had surgery two days later to repair it. He wore a cast for nearly two weeks but now wears a bandage and a brace.

"It's still up in the air," Gatens said when asked if he'll play in Sunday's opener against South Dakota State. "The doctor is not sure how it's going to feel and what to expect. It's not 100 percent risk-free by trying to go out there but if it is, I think I'll give it a go."

Gatens led Iowa in scoring last year at 12.3 points a game and has started all 64 games in his college career.

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said it's undetermined if Gatens would start if he could play on Sunday. If he can't, Iowa's starting five includes Cully Payne, Eric May, Zach McCabe, Melsahn Basabe and Jarryd Cole.

"I think that would be a function of what does he do between now and then," McCaffery said. "Does he practice Friday and Saturday? Does he practice Saturday? Does he just get some shots up and doesn't really go up and down?"

Gatens has participated in conditioning drills, such as running, riding a bike and lifting weights.

"I think from a cardiovascular standpoint he'll be fine," McCaffery said. "But in terms of getting your timing back down where it was, I mean, he was really in a groove. So it's understandable to think he might be a little rusty. So let's see what he does Friday and Saturday, if, in fact, he can do anything."

The brace Gatens will wear prevents his thumb from going backward again. It'll be taped up and it's not cumbersome, Gatens said.

"I have no idea how it's going to restrict me from doing," Gatens said. "I'm hoping I can still dribble, shoot and pass.

"Obviously you keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens."