Kris Joseph's Knee, Baye Moussa Keita's Hand Are Back To Terrify You

Along with Rick Jackson, two members of the 2010-2011 Syracuse Orange basketball team that we thought had moved on were the Tricky Knee of Kris Joseph and the Bum Hand of Baye Moussa Keita.

While neither seems to be back in full-force, both still remain on the roster heading into 2011-2012. And both are lurking in the background, silently taunting and terrifying SU fans.

Joseph underwent surgery in March to correct a problem with tendinitis and while he says he's feeling good, he's certainly not at full-strength yet.

"It feels great now, actually. It was to the point after practice sometimes when I felt that I wanted to get carried out of the gym it was so sore. And now I'm walking, running. Now sometimes after practice I don't even need ice. I always had to get ice, get treatment."

Joseph missed a stretch of practice because of the knee and seems pretty testy when asked about. According to Joseph, it flared up from time to time. Right now, it's all about taking it as easy as possible. Not to easy to do when you're a world class athlete working as hard as KrisJo.

Meanwhile, the wrap that enveloped Baye Moussa Keita's left hand the second half of last season was back in the St. Rose game. Keita underwent surgery in the off-season to repair a ligament in his hand but clearly he's not all the way healed.

"It’s kind of sore,’’ Keita said. "I’m just being careful.’’

"After I got the surgery, they told I was going to be sore for another year or so,’’ Keita said. "I’m just playing through it. This year is way better. It’s just sore. It’s nothing serious.’’

We'll take your word for it, fellas. To do otherwise makes us break out in a cold sweat.

For more on the 2011-2012 Syracuse Orange basketball team, including player profiles, statistical analysis and articles on the upcoming year featuring the folks in this podcast, make sure you check out Orange Tip-Off.