SDSU’s Dow Loses Cast but Isn’t Much Better

The cast came off Marty Dow’s right foot Thursday, but the San Diego State center is still questionable for Saturday’s game with U.S. International University.

Dow has a partially torn tendon in his foot and ankle and hasn’t practiced all week. He said the foot felt “better, but not a whole lot better.”

SDSU Coach Jim Brandenburg said a decision regarding Dow’s status will be made at Saturday’s shoot-around. Trainer Mark Haines said the cast wasn’t as successful as he had hoped.

“There was no change, unfortunately,” Haines said.

It is almost certain that Dow, a 7-foot-1 junior, will undergo surgery at some point. But he said he would like to return this season despite the risk of tearing the tendon all the way through.

“(Surgery) is something we discussed three weeks ago,” Dow said. “The surgery procedure wouldn’t be that different and the recovery time would be about the same whether it is a partial or full-out tear.”

Dow’s foot has been sore all season, and he aggravated it when he tripped over teammate Vern Thompson early in the second half of Saturday’s loss to Utah. Dow is one of only two Aztecs to start every game this season and is averaging 12 points and six rebounds.