Sumpter Recovering Faster Than Expected: Injured Villanova senior forward Curtis Sumpter is mending faster than doctors and team officials expected. Sumpter tore his ACL for the second time in eight months during the preseason. But successful surgery has Wildcat officials contemplating an early return for Sumpter. The original plan was to make Sumpter a medical redshirt, shut him down for the season and bring him back next year. By applying a medical redshirt to this season, Sumpter would retain his last year of eligibility.
Sumpter averaged 15.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season and could be the missing link for a national championship this season. Villanova is off to a great start, but the Wildcats are thin in the frontcourt. If Sumpter could return in late February or March, he could be in shape by the time the Wildcats need him to contribute to a title run. On the other hand, with seniors Randy Foye, Jason Fraser and Allan Ray graduating next May, maybe Sumpter’s return to the team next season would bring greater stability to the program in the long run. Decisions, decisions. [12/09/05]
