Casey Harriman returned to the Creighton basketball team Monday, although it’s uncertain when the junior forward might actually get back on the court.

Harriman watched the Bluejays practice in preparation for tonight’s 7:05 game against Florida A&M. He hadn’t been with the his teammates since Nov. 5, the day after Creighton played an exhibition game against Missouri Western.

“Man, you look like you’re 12 years old,’’ teammate Justin Carter said. “How much weight did you lose, about 80 pounds?’’

Harriman said he actually has lost about 20 pounds after complications from the H1N1 flu left him hospitalized for five days.

“I started off with swine flu that turned into tonsillitis that turned into strep throat that turned into mono,’’ Harriman said.

Harriman now is being treated for the latter, and he can’t even think about practicing until his enlarged spleen returns to its normal size.

Creighton coach Dana Altman had praised Harriman for the offseason work he had done and rewarded Harriman with a starting spot in the exhibition game against Missouri Western. Harriman became ill the next day, but he figured it would be just a minor setback.

“I figured I’d get better before UNO so I could play in our second scrimmage,’’ Harriman said. “Then, I just wanted to get better before our first game. Now, I’m going to be out for a few games, and I don’t really know when I’m going to be back.

“It’s just really, really frustrating. I was all hyped up for the beginning of the season, then I get sick and I’m out for however long.’’

Although he said he is still weak and has been bothered by dizzy spells, Harriman expects to return to classes today.

“I think part of being dizzy is that I don’t have much energy,’’ he said. “I haven’t had an appetite for a long time, and then the tonsillitis and strep throat made me not want to eat even more. My throat is still really sore but I am trying to eat a little more.’’

Harriman said he watched Creighton’s season-opening, 90-80 loss at Dayton on television in his hospital room.

“That was hard to do,’’ he said. “It’s so much different having to watch a game on TV. I kept feeling like I should be there. I was real happy that first half, and I still thought we would pull it out. We just let up a little that second half, but I think we have a chance to be really good.’’

Harriman can’t wait until he has the opportunity to get back on the court.

“The only pressure I’m feeling to get back is the pressure I put on myself,’’ Harriman said. “I’m going to do anything I can, eat anything I can and take anything I can to try to get back.’’

Creighton figures to be in the same situation tonight as it was against Dayton, without Harriman, Carter and forward Chad Millard. Carter did some light running at practice Monday in addition to riding a stationary bike.

Guard Antoine Young practiced Sunday and Monday after playing with a slight knee injury against Dayton. He is expected to play tonight against Florida A&M, which opened its season Saturday with a 100-59 loss at No. 22 Georgia Tech.

Tonight’s game is the second of eight straight on the road for the Rattlers. They’ll also play at Cleveland State, Stanford, Rider, Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama and Florida before playing their first home game Dec. 3 against Florida International.

“They had a tough opening assignment,’’ Altman said. “I’ve watched them on film and they’re athletic. It’s going to be important for us to make a step.’’

CU NOTES: The Missouri Valley Conference selected Bluejay forward Wayne Runnels as its newcomer of the week. Runnels, a 6-foot-6 junior-college transfer, had 16 points and nine rebounds in the loss to Dayton. ... Creighton and Florida A&M have played just once, with the Bluejays winning 74-70 in 1993 in a game played at the old Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum. ... Creighton is 80-11 in home openers and has won its last 14. ... Creighton enters the game with a losing record for the first time since Dec. 3, 1997. The Bluejays had won their last 12 season openers and had started 3-0 in 10 of the past 11 seasons.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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