Franck Kepnang is a vital piece to the Washington Huskies’ success in coach Danny Sprinkle’s first season at the helm. The center has been impactful whenever he’s been on the floor, averaging 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game in the two contests he’s participated in this season.
However, he’s missed Washington’s last two games due to a lingering knee injury. Sprinkle has chalked both of those up to “load management” games, as the Huskies have won both games in his absence against UMass Lowell and Division II Seattle Pacific University.
Franck Kepnang injury update
Kepnang has played in just 18 games over two seasons with the Huskies as he’s been limited by various knee injuries, which has led to Sprinkle’s decision to play it safe with the fifth-year senior.
“I don’t know,” Sprinkle said on Sunday when asked if Kepnang is a player he can rely on this season, “I wish I had the answer for you right now. It is load management to an extent, but we’ve got to make sure he’s healthy for January, February, March, and if his knee flares up or anything happens, we’ve got to make sure, first and foremost, we’re taking care of Franck. I’m not going to jeopardize putting him out on the court if I don’t feel he’s ready or 100 percent, and that’s why we held him out again tonight.”
How long will Franck Kepnang be out?
Sprinkle’s comments seem to suggest that Kepnang isn’t on any particular timeline. He could play as soon as Friday night against Alcorn State but may be held out until Washington’s first Big Ten game against UCLA on December 3.
Washington’s big man depth
In Kepnang’s absence, Wilhelm Breidenbach has stepped up and started at center, while Sprinkle has utilized several smaller lineups with Great Osobor at center and Tyler Harris at power forward. The Huskies also have Oregon State transfer KC Ibekwe at the position, but he hasn’t played yet, as Sprinkle feels his skillset is best suited for bigger teams that prefer to play a more physical game down low.