Nelson sidelined for Santa Barbara

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Just got off the phone with Chris Hantgin, the basketball coach over at Santa Barbara, and it didn’t sound like he was in the best spirits. After learning that Roberto Nelson did not play in Monday’s 67-51 victory over Eastside in a first round game of the San Fernando Valley Invitational because of a sore right shoulder, the low-key demeanor is understandable.

The injury occurred in Saturday’s 82-65 victory over Righetti. The standout junior is expected to miss Tuesday’s second-round game of the tournament, perhaps more, according to Hantgin, who said, ‘It’s a day-to-day thing now, but we’re going to give him some extra rest as a precautionary measure.’’

Having a healthy Nelson in the lineup is imperative for Santa Barbara, already in danger of falling out of the The Times’ top 25 preaseason rankings. With him, the Dons are a formidable foe. Without him, well, for Hantgin’s sake, let’s not think about life without Nelson.

-- Sean Ceglinsky