Minnesota star Mbakwe suffers torn ACL
First Tim Abromaitis and now Trevor Mbakwe.
We've lost a pair of the top forwards in the country to season-ending injuries in the past week - and in the process, potentially a couple of potential NCAA tournament teams.
Abromaitis went down with a season-ending knee injury in practice last Friday, putting Notre Dame's NCAA tourney hopes in serious jeopardy.
Mbakwe suffered a knee injury early in the second half against Dayton in the title game of the Old Spice Classic. An MRI on Monday confirmed that Mbakwe tore his ACL, a source confirmed to CBSSports.com.
The loss of Mbakwe likely makes Minnesota a team that won't be playing in the Big Dance this season.
The Gophers still have a terrific coach in Tubby Smith - and some decent pieces. However, Mbakwe averaged a double-double last season, is a relentless rebounder and a guy who finds a way to get things done with his athleticism and determination.
Now it'll be up to Ralph Sampson III, who has struggled thus far this season, to step up his play. Rodney Williams has been a tease and has underachieved thus far in his career. In order for the Gophers to be a tourney team, Sampson and Williams will need to produce. Consistently.
Big man Maurice Walker is slow to recover from his season-ending knee injury he sustained a year ago - and hasn't practiced yet. Colton Iverson transferred out of the program.
The backcourt of sophomore Austin Hollins and freshman Andre Hollins has been solid and Julian Welch has given the Gophers depth.
Just a week ago, these were two programs with realistic aspirations of getting to the NCAA tournament.
How quickly it can change.
