Tennessee sophomore center Duke Crews is back in action after being held out for more than a month due to a heart condition.
“Since identifying a concern for a heart condition, Duke has undergone rest, careful monitoring and more than a half dozen cardiac tests,” team physician Dr. Chris Klenck said in a UT release Friday. “These tests have been evaluated by respected cardiologists throughout the nation with extensive experience caring for professional and collegiate athletes.
“Based on their recommendations, Duke’s condition is compatible to a return to competition. We will continue to monitor Duke closely, as we do with all of our student-athletes.”
The original diagnosis for Crews, who has been held out since Dec. 14, was that it would be eight to 12 months before he could resume training.
“We are pleased that Duke is able to return,” UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “We will try to get him up to speed as quickly as possible while keeping in mind that he has had no activity for more than a month.”
Crews was diagnosed with the heart problem after undergoing an echocardiogram test that the University of Tennessee provided to all of its student-athletes.
“I was basically playing with half of a heart,’’ Crews said. “The way I look at it, I’ll come back being twice the beast I was before.’’
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Comments » 49
dfreeman writes:
Welcome back Duke, Prayers answered!!
GreerVol22 writes:
hey yo, where's Dukey? wazzzzzz up? We need you big man, get some wind back in your sails and help make a stretch run to remember!
MOOREVOLS writes:
Excellent news.
THE_VOL writes:
The rich just got richer! Too bad we had to waste a year of eligibility for Brian Williams but hey, he can still watch and learn. Feb 23 in Memphis just became a more serious war cause THE WARRIOR IS BACK!
bernardking writes:
Great news for Duke concerning his personal health. Good news for the basketball team. Duke will shore up our inside game with his intensity.
Glad we have a top notch health care staff at UT.
Now, lets kick the OSU's azz.
KENVOL writes:
We will really need him in Memphis. The puzzle is coming together. If things keep going like this we are going to the FINAL FOUR.
2000man writes:
Great news!
Welcome back Duke!
bigbluevol writes:
Great news. Answered prayers indeed. Our rotation just got deeper and our intensity just got ratcheted up even more. SWEET!
King53 writes:
Duke! Duke! Duke!
This was pointed out on another page, but I wanted to point out the fact Crews was always the first guy off the bench and being the #1 cheerleader even when he was out. He has a warrior's attitude and will be a huge addition to the team. I am really glad to hear this for him and the team.
iowavol writes:
Great news indeed. Now, how long before he returns to playing form - two, three weeks? I don't think he has been able to do any physical exertion at all. In fact, he looked smaller in the shoulders and neck sitting on the bench last night.
drone#208075 writes:
Way to go DUKE!!! Will be in T-town 1/29 singing Rocky Top to the heavens and yelling hey BAMA -We just beat the He!! out of you! This is great.
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
Great news... looking forward to enhancing our inside presence.
On another note, maybe someone can post this prediction from CNNSI on the Vol bulletin board:
"Ohio State (12-5) at No. 6 Tennessee (15-1)
Tennessee got all hyped up and won an important game at home Thursday night against in-state conference rival Vanderbilt. Now, less than 48 hours later the Volunteers have to battle a team from outside the league that played its last game on Tuesday. If that isn't a formula for an upset, I don't know what is -- especially considering the Volunteers also have to play at Kentucky on Tuesday. Even though Ohio State lost at Michigan State on Tuesday night, the Buckeyes gained a measure of confidence in coming back from a 21-point deficit. If these teams played 10 times, Tennessee would win nine of them. I've got a hunch this is the one the Vols don't.
Ohio State 81, Tennessee 80 (OT)"
Keep in mind. That's SI talking, not me. :-)
utvolz#637682 writes:
The WARRIOR is back! Great news for both Duke from a health perspective and great news as our team just got a key piece of their rotation (and low post game) back. Get back into playing shape Duke and open up that can of whoop a## on em!
Frank in Miami
ctownvol writes:
Great news for Duke! Prayers were indeed answered. Welcome back to the court Duke.
GerryOP writes:
Last night it looked like Lofton was starting to come out of scoring hibernation, now Duke is back! The hits just keep on comin'! Prayers answered!
Chainsaw writes:
Congratulations on the good news, Duke! Welcome back!
chrisw2967 writes:
It looks like prayers do get answered ? Just hope his health remains good and he cant get back to form and Lofton looks like he is slowly getting back to form and this sounds like bad news for the rest of the SEC.
bigbluevol writes:
I know this is about Duke, but I just saw on volunteertv.com that Jason Michael is going to be the new tight ends coach. Just wanted to pass that along.
DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKE! That makes this post more appropos.
87UTVOL writes:
Regardless of what it means to the team, I'm glad for Duke. This is his health and life. I had heard not being able to participate was just killing him.
I've not missed a home game this year. Been to one away game. I'll be there tomorrow and I'll be in Rupp on Tuesday. Don't know if Duke can get any minutes against the Cats, but it will be an inspiration to know he's on his way.
I'm sure Tennessee's opponents, particularly those over the last month, don't think the Vols need yet another fresh body coming off the bench.
GO VOLS!
fundamentals83 writes:
Great news.. Glad to have Duke back. Does Williams go back to sitting? or does Pearl add 1 to the number in the rotation?
Vols1998 writes:
Power in Paint!!
CoverOrange writes:
Chrisw, Lofton was 2 of 6 from treyland (33%), 2 of 5 inside the arc (40%) and missed one of two FTs. Not quite to form yet shooting wise.
cgbtn writes:
What is the status of Josh Tabb? Is he being redshirted, or is he just gone?
threehundredbowler writes:
volcr,why in the heck must you go off the deep end on everyone that expresses their opinion?Do you honestly believe you are the only person that has an opinion and that you are the only one with the right opinion?In MY opinion, Rachel,you are the one showing ignorance and you amaze no one.
jr8657 writes:
Great news! Probably look for Crews to be brought back slowly. Coach Pearl probably won't take any chances early...let him get back in condition first. Iwouldn't expect him to play tomorrow but he might get a couple of minutes against the Cats!!! Look out "tha attitude" is back!!!!!
MOOREVOLS writes:
The good thing about Lofton last night was that he started slow, but finished very strong. I think he hit 4 of his last 5 shots (not including the free throws).
OhioVol13 writes:
Love to see him play against the Buckeyes, but I agree, this probably won't happen.
rckytpfn#211158 writes:
Great news!! The main thing is that Duke's heath is good. The fact that we get back a hoss under the bucket is just gravy.
BigMikeUT writes:
Twice the beast he was before! That's quite a beast! Welcome back Duke, having him back is a huge addition for this basketball team. He plays with a lot of passion and was one of the team leaders last year as a freshman.
footballfan writes:
Congratulations to you Duke Crews, on once again getting a chance to play the game you love. I am very happy for him. I love it when good things like this can happen for guys that so obviously love doing what they do. I can only imagine what it will be like for him to get back on the court. Good news keeps rolling for UT so far this year. Go Vols.
TommyJack writes:
"Twice the beast". I love it.
Ironcity writes:
Glad to have Duke back. More glad that it appears he is OK. I do have a question for others here, did Duke have a procedure that allows him full use of his Heart? Did or does his condition not allow him full use of his heart? Just wondering.
SavageVol08 writes:
cgbtn, Tabb just doesnt have a place in the rotation right now---there is too much depth ha. I read an article that said Bruce has talked to him and explained the situation. He will def play next year when lofton, jajuan smith and howell are gone. he came in in the SC game late and hit a three. I doubt he will transfer and Pearl seems confident he will play next year.
tennrich1 writes:
I think its being treated with medication....
Ironcity writes:
Thanks tennrich. As for Tabb I don't think Coach wants to treat him like a scrub and play him in the last minute of a game. I think the coach wants to only play him if they are going to be quality minutes. At this point there is no way to redshirt him.
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
Does SI know something the rest of us do not know???
Will the same officials be used that protected OSU and Oden last year???
LargeOrange writes:
We are truely blessed that this condition was found as well as the heart condition that Reviz was diagnosed with.
From: "Reveiz undergoes successful surgery to remove growth on heart" By Drew Edwards
Originally published 08:23 p.m., January 9, 2008 "Doctors initially found the growth through an echocardiogram provided to all UT athletes and donated by Mickie King and his Atlanta-based company, Digirad Ultrascan Solutions.
Fulmer said the test, which also revealed a heart defect in men’s basketball player Duke Crews, “probably saved Shane’s life.”" I think Mickie King, who ever he/she is, is definitely a huge Big Orange Fan and should get to run through the T at a game this fall. Welcome back Duke, Go Big Orange, and thanks Mickie King!!
87UTVOL writes:
Tabb has two more years. We have 3 senior guards. His time will come.
Williams minutes will likely drop. They did when Duke came back after the ankle injury. With duke, Wayne and/or Tyler will probably get a bit more rest as well, which will be welcome as the season wears on. When Wayne was doing press interviews last night, he had a shoe on his right foot and an ice pack on his left foot/ankle. I don't think it's an injury, just precautionary.
I want to keep good players who can help future teams. But, let's take one game at a time and enjoy this fabulous time in Tennessee basketball!
vol4jesus writes:
is See rvaul real or a figment of our imagination? Does he derive any happiness in life? That is aside from slamming posters? I find it hard to believe,but I do, that anyone could be so sour on life. Especially when coming back from supposedly being banned from posterland. Did it really happen or he had to take a break from being so negative due to the side effects it was causing him to experience ?
james#216392 writes:
Duke, great to have you back. Vols, show SI who is in control of its destiny. I would love to see you best Ohio State by 20 and then take it to the Cats.
iowavol writes:
Well, well, well, CR-Vol coming after me is he. Ready for another public ass whipping are you. What a shame. I am violating my own rule of going back and reading something you wrote after another posters' reference. Typically I just skip over it. Shame on me and to the rest of you, I apologize for taking up the space and hopefully I don't take up your time.
First and foremost, to the rest of the posters on this site, I am supper supportive of Duke Crews coming back to the team. But most important, I am thankful his condition allows him to come back. My question about how long it takes for him to come back and my comments about his size were out of respect for what he had to go through. How long was he out, 3 or 4 weeks, longer? Not sure but it seemed like a long time. At any rate, I'm glad he's back and glad he is healthy.
Now for the simple minded one. My comment about his size was based on how Duke looked sitting between two teammates wearing - not a warm up suit - as he was early in the game, but wearing what looked like a T-shirt. One thing that has always impressed me about Duke is the chiseled look he has and knowing what it takes to get that look. Make no mistake about it, the natural ability these athletes have - what did you call them D1 athletes - is God given, but the opportunity to play D1 comes from a life of dedication. Add to the D1 status is the fact he is a basketball player, which arguably is the best conditioned athlete. But wait, it gets even easier for me. He is also playing on a Coach Pearl team that requires an even higher level of conditioning. These guys have to work out year round to get in this kind of shape.
Now I don't know much oh Colossal one, I've never played college level anything, much less pro. But I am a marathoner. As I mentioned, I don't much, but I do know a thing or two about being in shape. I also know a thing or two about the road to recovery being a lot longer than the road it takes to get out of shape. According to previous articles, Duke has been unable to do any physical exercise whatsoever.
My question about how long it will take for Duke to return to form was out of the respect I have for what these guys must go through to play basketball for the University of Tennessee. I was hoping to get an answer from someone who actually played at the collegiate level and had an intelligent answer. But instead, I got you. How funny is that? And about that last comment, something about my ignorance amazing you…well, it doesn’t surprise me. You strike me as a person that is easily amazed.
Musicman74 writes:
Great to see you back Duke. Now let's get down to work, on winning the SEC, and then a National Championship.
ratkins589#246270 writes:
atta boy duke you da man
jevolball7 writes:
He has been lifting, just no high metabolism things. Has not practiced other than shoot arounds. He is 19 it won't take him long. He probably won't play saturday. He will be worked in game by game. More minutes every game. IMO,since he is in a "rotation", he should be back close to 100% in 2 weeks. I am far from a doctor, but I do have heart palpitations and a murmer. Look for him to get some minutes against KY. GREAT NEWS! The puzzle is about completed.
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
I for one dont want to see an incident of careless player management like at Oregon (a la Denis Dixon playing with torn ACL). Just keep him healthy, acclimate him to the tempo of the game. Lord knows how we play is demanding on anyone, let alone an man without conditioning for a month.
That said: Glad you're back Duke. Stay healthy and let's tear some a$$ in the SEC, then on to the Final Four.
dogboy writes:
Last week I was watching video of Duke and I was thinking how NASTY he is on the court. I am so glad he is back, Chism and Crews... THE DYNAMIC DUO
Great to have you back Duke.
GO VOLS BEAT THOSE BUCKEYES
jevolball7 writes:
SIC him CR!!
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Volcr, there you go again. Nothing else to do again? Get a job or do volunteer work and quit messing up this site. Expand your mind and catch up with the rest of the world, Mr. Negativity.
hueypilot writes:
I'm just a fan, and old enough to be retired, so obviously a complete idiot, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, so I'd say he'll be back good as new in 3 weeks, certainly in time for that little tilt in the Bluff City and well folded into the rotation by tournament time.
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