John Pitts 2/26/09

By Perrin Crews

Special to the Journal

OXFORD - The Ole Miss Rebel basketball team, which looked to be guard heavy in their depth chart this season, has had to make major adjustments to their backcourt plans with the loss of three key guards in Trevor Gaskins, Eniel Polynice, and Chris Warren.

Each suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee.

Now all three players are working through rehabilitation programs, some farther along in the process than others. Each player anticipates being ready to contribute next season.

Gaskins' ACL tear came just one week before the Rebels' season opener. While the Rebels have been clawing back to .500 in the SEC, Gaskins has been working rigorously and is back to full strength ahead of schedule.

"I could play now," he insisted, "But this season is almost over. We're just taking precautions."

Gaskins' comments were echoed by Polynice, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to transplant cartilage and remove loose fragments in his left knee.

Polynice was optimistic about his rehab saying, "My pool workouts and balancing exercises have my knee feeling strong again.

"I could be back playing too; I'm just taking it slow and looking to come back strong for next season."

Part of the relaxed mindset shown by Gaskins and Polynice is because their injuries came early enough in the season to keep them from losing a year of eligibility. They'll both receive medical redshirts.

That isn't the case for Warren who went down in the final seconds of the Rebels' 12th game of the season.

Warren's injury is not only the most recent of the Rebel woes, but also the most severe.

The ACL tear in his left knee was accompanied by a number of other complications including a sprain in his MCL and a lateral bone contusion.

Warren, who averaged over 19 points per game this season, is still walking on crutches.

"Right now we're just working on flexibility, trying to straighten out the knee."

Warren's speed and elusive behavior on the court is unrecognizable on the bench.

"We're right on schedule, nothing too big. I'm hoping to be back sometime this summer."

The Rebels have no seniors on the roster and have gotten strong play from freshman Terrico White at the point in place of Warren.

The return of the injured players should give them one of the most experienced backcourts in the SEC next season.