Aztecs’ Center Is Hurt Again

Center Marty Dow, who missed San Diego State’s final eight basketball games last season because of a torn tendon in his foot, did not practice Monday because of a groin injury.

Trainer Mark Haines said Dow will not participate in a full practice before next Monday.

Dow originally injured his groin Thursday, returned to practice Friday and then aggravated it Saturday.

“It’s really frustrating, especially being my senior year,” said Dow, who averaged 12 points and six rebounds a game last year. “I like to be out on the floor as much as I can be.”

It was a rough Monday for the Aztecs. Joe McNaull, a 6-foot-10 freshman from Monte Vista High School, was examined by team physician Rick Parker for what was diagnosed as a soft tissue strain in his lower back. McNaull is expected to return to practice today. Also, senior Vern Thompson and redshirt freshmen Courtie Miller and Terrence Hamilton were slowed by groin injuries but practiced, and redshirt junior Nelson Stewart was sick and left practice early.

“It was infirmary city today,” Coach Jim Brandenburg said.

He wasn’t too upset, though. He charts practices each year and said it is normal for some of his players to have sore groins by the 10th practice of each season because of his defensive drills. Monday’s was the seventh. For the most part, Brandenburg said, he has been impressed by what he has seen.

“I felt like we were further along after the sixth practice (Saturday’s) than any time since I’ve been here (after six practices),” he said.