Isaac Haas even trying to play tonight against Texas Tech is almost impossible to believe. The Purdue center fractured his elbow in a fall against Cal State Fullerton last Friday, an injury that at the time was reported to be the end of his season (and his Purdue career.)
Except then Haas tried to play against Butler on Sunday, reasoning that he’s going to need surgery regardless. It didn’t seem likely, and whatever possibility he had to play was extinguisned when word came that his proposed elbow brace failed to meet NCAA requirements. That sent Purdue’s vaunted engineering department into action, and they came up with a brace that was much more likely to meet the NCAA’s standards.
As it turns out, the NCAA did something it usually doesn’t: moved quickly to amend an outdated rule to make it more likely for Haas to be able to play, if Matt Painter and Purdue’s medical staff clear him. That’s from Andy Katz, working for NCAA.com:
NCAA Senior Vice President of basketball Dan Gavitt worked with Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski, NCAA basketball secretary-rules editor Art Hyland, and the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) to get approval.
“With ample time this week to review the intent of the playing rule, the committee decided to provide a more contemporary interpretation, while keeping health and safety for all players the highest priority,” said Gavitt. “Technology has improved materials used in braces, so now there will be more flexibility in applying the rule as long as the brace is fully covered and padded. Isaac and other players in similar circumstances should be able to play, as long as the brace is safe for all.”
This is a good thing! The NCAA reacted quickly when they realized an outdated bit of language in a rule wasn’t adhering to the spirit of said rule, and that it was better for an athlete if things were changed, with no downside. So here we are. It almost serves to be more frustrating, when you consider all the times they don’t do things like this, but let’s try to be positive for a few minutes today.
It still might not be enough for Haas to play, though; here’s Katz again:
Purdue coach Matt Painter said in a text to NCAA.com Thursday night from Boston that “nothing would change (on Haas’ playing status) unless he shows me something different at shoot around (Friday).’’
But it’s more of a chance than he had before, thanks to a rare example of the NCAA doing the right thing quickly.
