Obviously there's been endless speculation on here about what Hoover's condition/injury is, and the degree of severity it presents.
I wonder what, if anything, the team members have been told and, if they don't know any more than us, whether that might be fing with their psyche? I know for sure it's fing with the psyche of the IU fanbase. I believe it's going to result in the crowd being on edge from the start of the USC game. It seems like there were better ways to handle this situation.
I understand the desire for secrecy in the Rourke situation. You don't want an opponent to go out of their way to target his bad knee.
In this situation, everyone and his uncle knows there is something wrong with Hoover's right arm. If teams are going to target him, it's already in the works.
Might it have been preferable in this situation to come out and say something like "Josh Hoover is having an issue with his right AC joint (if that's the case). (Or if you want to be less specific, "to his right shoulder"). It is a situation that can improve with rest. We will not update his situation except as required by the weekly availability report". I believe that HIPAA does allow such a disclosure with the athlete's permission.
The team knows. Hoover when asked by a teammate how he's feeling or what is injury is, isn't going to say "HIPPA regulations prevent me from telling you." (Just a joke, but as you noted, they don't of course.)
It is an interesting thought. I just hope the fans don't make too obvious a cheer if Grant trots in, or any negative vibes if Josh trots in. I think it'll be a good cheer of it's Josh of course. But I wonder a little since like you say, fans were kept in the dark before.
I think we'll give our best game. Must win for both teams. Probably 'mad Cignetti' . Not feeling it for USC... 😎