The news that Minnesota Golden Gophers fans did not want to hear has been confirmed. Preseason Third-team All-American and possible NBA lottery pick Trevor Mbakwe will miss the rest of the 2011-12 season after tearing his right ACL last night against Dayton in the championship game of the Old Spice Classic. WCCO out of Minneapolis confirmed the news earlier this afternoon:
WCCO WCCO
#Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe will undergo ACL surgery in 3 weeks. He is out for the rest of the season. cbsloc.al/vSjpD5
The Golden Gophers will now to move forward without a player that was averaging over 18 points and 10 rebounds so far this season. Mbakwe is only the most recent top forward in the Big Ten to suffer an injury, as Purdue Robbie Hummel tore his ACL twice before this year. ironically, his first injury occurred Minnesota late in 2010. This injury likely ends Mbakwe's collegiate career, as he is a senior in his fifth year academically.