Iowa State men’s basketball: Melvin Ejim could be back sooner than expected

Instead of hoping for Melvin Ejim to return before the tournament in Hawai’i, the Iowa State men’s basketball team may be lucky enough to get the superstar before the game against the BYU Cougars.

Jan 14, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Melvin Ejim (3) puts up a shot over Kansas Jayhawks guard Kevin Young (40) during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas defeated Iowa State 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Randy Peterson of the Des Moines Register reports that Ejim’s rehabilitation on the knee injury is moving further along than expected, meaning that the window of four-to-six weeks could be shortened.

"“He’ll be seen again next week by the doctor,” Miller said. “He’s coming along really well – better than we thought. We’re very pleased.”Doctors will re-examine the knee on Tuesday, which means Ejim will be a spectator when Iowa State opens the season at noon Sunday against North Carolina-Wilmington at Hilton Coliseum."

Ejim injured his knee during practice last week, punching a blow into fans that have already seen their football team decimated with injuries. Perhaps this is a sign of good things to come for the Cyclones.

However, it remains a dream for the star forward to return by the big non-conference matchup against the Michigan Wolverines, who finished as a runner-up in the national championship last year. Currently, Michigan is ranked seventh in the Associated Press’ top 25 preseason poll.

The game against BYU will be three days after the game (Wednesday, November 20th) against the Wolverines in Provo, Utah. That will be the first road game for the Cyclones this season.