By STEVE RIVERA
srivera@tucsoncitizen.com
It appears University of Arizona basketball fans have seen the last of Mohamed Tangara playing in a game this season.
If Tangara, who has been slowed by a back injury, plays in one more game, he’d be at the 20 percent maximum of games in which a player can play yet still be able to qualify for a medical redshirt season.
Tangara has been limited in practice – and more limited in games – this season, averaging just 5.2 minutes per outing. He did not play in UA’s last two games.
UA coach Lute Olson said the Cats will “play it by ear” and see if Tangara gets better, but that appears doubtful.
Complicating matters was his time off dealing with the injury. Because he missed about three weeks of practice, he has had a difficult time grasping UA’s offensive sets.
Bill Morgan, the school’s athletic compliance director, said nothing will be done about the decision until the end of the season in part because “how do you know he’s going to miss the rest of the season unless the season is over?” Morgan said.
Arizona had to deal with the same thing last season when Isaiah Fox went down with a season-ending knee injury two games into the season.
Some thought he might be ready to return late in the season, but he couldn’t because he had a long rehabilitation, and then UA was ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
He was then granted a medical redshirt season after the season was complete.
Tangara’s chance of getting the redshirt season are good, according to Morgan.
“If it meets the criteria and the medical documentation is good, there shouldn’t be a problem,” Morgan said.
No. 15 Arizona (6-2) at Marquette (9-0)
• When: Noon Saturday
• Where: Milwaukee
• TV: ESPN2
• Radio:1290-AM,107.5-FM