Bisons point guard Nathan Moran, who has not played in a game this year, plans to redshirt the season to focus on “trying to get my full speed and strength back,” he told Lumination Network in a text message.
Coach Casey Alexander said Moran was healthy enough to return, but wouldn’t play “unless something changes” in his recovery or team circumstances.
“It’s been slower than normal,” Alexander said. “It’s all health-related.”
In college athletics, a player choosing to redshirt saves a year of eligibility, but forfeits the additional year of eligibility if they enter a game during the redshirt season.
Moran started every game of the 2016-17 season,, averaged 11.1 points per game and was second in the A-SUN with 4.2 assists per game last year. The team’s leading shooter, he made 90 three-pointers at a 41.7% clip.
He finished the year with a torn labrum in each hip and underwent surgeries in April and June.
The senior said he made the decision to redshirt the season after Lipscomb swept crosstown rival Belmont in December.
He returned to practice on Jan. 5.
Feeling super thankful and lucky to be able to practice this week for the first time in over 9 months! GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!!!
— Nathan Moran (@nate5_moran) January 10, 2018
The 11-5 Bisons play their second conference game on the road at North Florida (6-12) tonight at 6:00 PM. Lipscomb is 5-5 on the road and opened the A-SUN slate with a win at Kennesaw State Saturday. The Ospreys, led by sophomore guard Ivan Gandia-Rosa, are 5-1 at home.
The last time Lipscomb played North Florida, junior guard Garrison Mathews put up 29, but the Ospreys ended the Bisons’ season in the semifinal round of the A-SUN playoffs.
Mathews scored 43 points against Kennesaw State Saturday, the Division I-era school record. For that, he was named the Lou Henson Midmajor Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
Watch the Bisons take on the Ospreys on ESPN3 at 6:00 PM.