By John Shinn
There's no definite answer for when, or even if, Oklahoma will get guard Willie Warren and forward Tiny Gallon back. But there were some signs Monday it could be sooner rather than later.
Warren, who was diagnosed with mononucleosis last week, could play Wednesday night when the Sooners face Colorado.
Team trainer Alex Brown said Warren had recovered well enough that he would practice Monday. Brown added that Warren is no longer experiencing the fever or sore throat he had last week.
OU coach Jeff Capel said Warren still has some hurdles to cross before he gets back on the floor.
"There are tests you have to run to see if his spleen is swollen, and if there is swelling, how much," he said. "We'll see today. Does he have energy? I heard mono saps your energy. One of the things my brother told me is you feel like you're OK, then you try to do something and you just have no energy."
Capel's younger brother, Jason, was diagnosed with the illness and missed four games while playing at North Carolina in 1999.
Capel also said OU assistant coach Mark Cline had mono when he was in college at Wake Forest. Cline didn't miss any games, but he had to wear a flak-jacket to protect his spleen.
The spleen is a big issue for those with mono. The illness causes the organ to swell and it is more vulnerable to damage during that time.
Capel remained skeptical Warren will be ready to play against the Buffaloes.
"I'll believe it when I see it," he said.
Brown said there isn't a definitive time for when Warren first became sick. Warren scored 18 points and played 37 minutes in the Sooners' 72-71 loss to Texas Tech Feb. 9.
He showed signs of being sick and tested positive for mono the next day. Brown said it was very likely Warren was sick during the game and even could have contracted the illness much earlier.
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine recommends those with mono be restricted from strenuous physical activity of at least three weeks after being diagnosed.
Warren, who is averaging 16.2 points per game, did some shooting before Monday's practice, but declined to speak with reporters.
As far as when Gallon returns, it has absolutely nothing to do with health. OU announced Gallon had been "indefinitely suspended" prior to Saturday's game at Oklahoma State. No reason has been given for Gallon's suspension.
"I can't talk about Tiny's situation," Capel said. "I'm not able to."
Capel's answer implied Gallon's problem isn't related to behavior, and is related to something beyond the coach's control.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
