Chicken Pox To Keep Ellison Home When Cougars Hit Road To Arizona

Arizona’s Damon Stoudamire says he’ll prepare for Washington State on Thursday as if Donminic Ellison will be playing in the Pacific-10 Conference men’s basketball game.

But the WSU point guard has other problems right now - chicken pox - and won’t be making the Arizona road trip, coach Kevin Eastman said Monday.

And that, along with backup Chris Griffin ailing, poses a big problem for Eastman.

Stoudamire, the Pac-10’s leader in assists (7.4) and scoring (22 points), leads the No. 12 Wildcats (15-4, 5-2) into their crucial home encounter with the Cougars (10-5, 5-2).

Ellison is averaging 7.0 assists per game, second best in the conference.

Stoudamire said Ellison’s absence won’t change how he approaches the game.

“I think it will change the outlook of their team, but as far as I’m concerned, I’m going to have to prepare as I usually do,” he said. “If I relax, it might hurt us.”

Griffin, the Cougars’ only other point guard, has had breathing problems stemming from a prolonged bout with bronchitis.

The Cougars and Arizona are tied for second, a half-game behind UCLA (12-2, 6-2).