Miller hopeful Traynor will be back on court soon
MBB: Senior guard Ben Shtolzberg's return is uncertain as he deals with a foot issue
As Murray State prepares for Sunday’s final exhibition game against Northern State, the Racers are hoping to get two of their injured players back sooner than later.
Senior forward JJ Traynor and senior guard Ben Shtolzberg both missed Saturday’s exhibition game at Xavier. During Monday’s taping of the ‘Racer Report Live’, Murray State Head Coach Ryan Miller gave updates on the health of both players.
“JJ has a shoulder injury that we’re monitoring,” Miller said. “He actually is going to have an MRI done today, just to make sure everything’s alright.”
Traynor, the sixth-year senior from Bardstown, Kentucky, averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds last season in 32 games at DePaul.
Shtolzberg played with Miller at Creighton during the 2022-23 season. His return to the court is a little less certain.
“Ben has a stress reaction in his foot,” Miller said. “(It’ll) probably be a little longer recovery time for him. I expect JJ to be probably 100% at the end of this week if the MRI goes alright. I mean, both players, we need them in the lineup. I thought at times on Saturday (against Xavier) we got a little fatigued, and we played guys a little too long. Both those guys, we can use their versatility on the court.”
Murray State’s exhibition against Northern State will start at 4:00pm on Sunday at the CFSB Center. The Racers will open the regular season on November 3rd when they take on Omaha in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as part of The Field of 68’s Opening Day Marathon.