By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

UTSA forward Idara Udo could be getting closer to returning to play. Udo, who has had to sit out eight straight games with a lower leg injury, has been upgraded to questionable for today against the North Texas Mean Green.

About 54 minutes before tipoff, she has just emerged from the dressing room, in uniform, to take the floor for warmups.

It’s the first time that the third-year UTSA stalwart’s status has been reported as anything other than ‘out, full game’ since the American Conference opener on Dec. 30. The American started issuing player availability reports this season.

Udo last played on Dec. 15 against Texas A&M-Kingsville. After that game, she was seen afterward wearing a walking boot.

Though UTSA hasn’t mentioned the nature of the injury, the 6-foot-1 junior from Plano sat out games against Columbia, Tulane, Temple, Charlotte, South Florida, Florida Atlantic, East Carolina and Memphis.

UTSA has won four and lost four in her absence. Udo averaged 8.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in her first 10 games. She entered the season projected as second-team, all conference.

Last year, Udo was a major contributor to a record-breaking, American Conference championship season. She played and started all 31 games and averaged 8.7 points and 7.5 rebounds. Udo was the top offensive rebounder in the conference in conference games.

UTSA finished 26-5 overall and 17-1 in the American. This year, the team is 9-9 and 4-3.