Duke Miles injury update: Mark Byington reveals Vanderbilt guard set for surgery

No. 18 Vanderbilt was without its second-leading scorer, Duke Miles, against Kentucky on Tuesday night. It turned out to be no problem, as the Commodores cruised 80-55, but Miles’ long-term availability is certainly a key question.

Coach Mark Byington addressed the status of the 6-foot-2 guard following the game. He noted Miles will have surgery.

“He’s got to get cleanup in his knee,” Byington said. “And he’ll be back. He was a great leader today. He’s been playing through some pain, I think everybody knows.”

Duke Miles is averaging 16.6 points per game, and he’s made a difference all across the stat sheet. He also averages 4.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals per contest.

He’s been a key cog for a team that has been red hot at times this season. As it was on Tuesday night.

The good news? Byington made it sound like he expects Duke Miles back sooner than later.

“The way he’s going to attack things, the way he’s going to be, he won’t be out long,” Byington said. “He’s going to get surgery tomorrow morning and then he’s going to attack rehab.”

Mark Byington living in makeshift room

Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington has been a victim of the severe winter ice storm that crossed the southern portion of the United States this weekend. He’s had to stay at the team facilities with the power at his Nashville home out. ESPN’s broadcast crew ran a short segment featuring his plight during a game against Kentucky on Tuesday night.

No Duke Miles, no power at home? No problem.

“Welcome back to Nashville, Tennessee, where snow and ice has coated Nashville and the surrounding areas,” ESPN sideline reporter Alyssa Lang reported on air. “It’s been a wintry mix everywhere you drive, and over 100,000 without power here in the Nashville area.

“That includes Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington, who told us that since Saturday he’s had an air mattress blown up in his office and has been sleeping here in the facility because his house has been about 30, 40 degrees. He’s been one of those without power, as well.”

After the big win over Kentucky, perhaps Mark Byington isn’t in any hurry to get back to his house. That is, if he’s superstitious at all.