Ralph Sampson III Injury: Center Could Miss Quarterfinals Game Against Michigan

A good performance in the Big Ten tournament is the only hope that the Minnesota Golden Gophers have for getting a spot in the NCAA Tournament later in March after a lackluster end to their season dropped them out of the conversation. Their hopes went down a bit after center Ralph Sampson III went down with a knee injury earlier in the week during practice, however, keeping him out of their first round affair with the Northwestern Wildcats.

The Gophers squeaked out a win against the Wildcats, thanks in part to his backup Elliott Eliason stepping up in a big way, leading to Friday's quarterfinals match with the Michigan Wolverines. Unfortunately for Minnesota, Marcus Fuller of the Pioneer Press reports that it looks like Sampson might have to miss his second straight game with the injury.

"Ralph got hurt unexpectedly in practice (Monday)," Williams said. "The longer we play, the better chance we have to get him back. We're going to come out here every game fighting so we can extend the season for him. This is his last year."

Bad news for the Gophers, but Minnesota was able to hold its own against a tough Northwestern team with a depleted squad. They'll need to do it against one of the best teams in the conference to keep their hopes for meaningful basketball in March alive.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher.

Ralph Sampson Injury: Gophers Center Won't Play Against Northwestern

Ralph Sampson III suffered an injury in practice earlier this week as the Minnesota Golden Gophers were preparing for the 2012 Big Ten tournament. It wasn't expected to be that serious at first, but he'll apparently miss the Gophers opening game of the tournament against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Sampson tweaked his knee in practice on Monday and, according to the Star Tribune's Amelia Rayno, he'll likely be out for the majority of the Big Ten tournament -- which might not be long for the Gophers considering they enter as the No. 10 seed.

Ralph Sampson III will be out today and likely beyond -- if the Gophers advance -- with an knee injury sustained in practice Monday. Starting in Sampson's spot will be Elliott Eliason, who has started four games in place of the senior this season.

Northwestern isn't great in the post, either, so maybe Eliason can do some damage. It still would've certainly helped to have Sampson, the team's only senior, in the lineup.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

Ralph Sampson Injury: Big Ten Tournament In Doubt For Minnesota's Lone Senior

Ralph Sampson III, a senior center for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, injured his knee Monday at practice and is questionable for Minnesota's opening round Big Ten Tournament game against Northwestern on Thursday, according to Amelia Rayno of The Star Tribune. Via Rayno:

Ralph Sampson III "tweaked" his knee two days ago, Gophers coach Tubby Smith said on Wednesday, making his status questionable for Thursday's opening round game against Northwestern at the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. Sampson hurt the knee in practice, Smith said, and had not practiced since. The senior was seen shooting free throws on the court behind Smith as he spoke.

Sampson III is the Golden Gopher's lone senior, averaging 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season. Minnesota (18-13, 6-12) has virtually no chance of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.