RELATED STORIES

• Men's basketball: Lobos aren't giving up, despite dead-last status in the MWC
• Men's basketball: Foul line not kind to starting centers
• UNM men's basketball: J.R. Giddens

Related Links

• No harm, no Fowler Blog

More LoboZone

• Richard Stevens: Faces I'll remember are the smallest ones
• Michael Garcia: Here's to you, athletes, coaches and friends. These memories - and lessons - will last forever.
• Tribune sports: Five faves

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

University of New Mexico guard J.R. Giddens told The Tribune he doesn't expect to be in the starting lineup tonight against Brigham Young, though he expects to play.

Giddens, who leads the team with 17.8 points per game, declined comment on why he wouldn't start.

When asked about Giddens' status, coach Ritchie McKay said he "hasn't decided" on his starting lineup, but everyone is eligible to play against the Cougars. McKay typically doesn't disclose his starting lineup before games.

This could be the second game of the season Giddens has started on the bench. The junior sat out the first half of a December game against North Carolina A&T for what McKay called "not paying attention to detail."

McKay also has kicked Giddens out of several practices since the Kansas transfer began his redshirt season in 2005.

It's not just McKay that has kept Giddens off a basketball court this season. Giddens has missed three games, including two Mountain West Conference losses, because of a sprained left ankle that still isn't 100 percent. Giddens limped out of the Rudy Davalos Basketball Center on Wednesday while wearing a protective boot, though he said he's close to full strength.

Forward Daniel Faris or guard Chad Toppert will likely replace Giddens in the starting lineup. Forward Aaron Johnson and guards Tony Danridge, Jamaal Smith and Darren Prentice are probable starters.

Giddens' last performance in The Pit was memorable, scoring 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds on Jan. 13 to lead the Lobos to a 86-82 overtime win over Utah.