Gulley could return Saturday

Sources within the Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball program have confirmed that senior shooting guard Paris Gulley, who has been out since the week before the season with a broken non-shooting hand, will take x-rays this week, after which doctors will re-evaluate his condition. It is very likely that if Gulley is cleared to play, he will return to the lineup Saturday at 7 p.m. at UNI.

Gulley, the team's best three-point marksman, shot 39.9% from beyond the arc a season ago en route to 8.5 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game. Gulley was the junior college teammate of current point guard Jordan Aaron. The rapport established between the two caused Gulley to go on a major run once Aaron became the starting point guard, and Gulley finished the season scoring 13.5 ppg and shooting 46% from beyond the arc.

Should the Panthers get Gulley back, they immediately become a better defensive team. Gulley's on-the-ball defense was second only to Ryan Allen last season, and would be a big help to a team that is allowing over 70 points per game to D-I opponents.

Besides the obvious boosts to three-point shooting and defense, Gulley's return to the lineup would automatically take considerable weight off the shoulders of Jordan Aaron and especially Bobo Niang. Niang, who is a combo guard, has been forced to play mostly shooting guard despite the fact that he is more highly touted as a point guard. With Gulley back in the fold, Niang can play more point guard. That leaves Jordan Aaron able to sit for more than a couple minutes a game, something the Panthers need desperately so he doesn't lose his legs late in the season.

Once again, this is all contingent on doctors clearing Gulley to play, but it definitely seems like the national nightmare is nearly over.

A call to Gulley was not immediately returned. Quotes will be added once we have them.

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