His Iowa Hawkeye basketball team suffered two defeats Thursday night against Michigan, while the reserve center Jack Nunge suffered an injury at the end of the season in the loss to the Wolverines.
Jack Nunge suffers an injury at the end of the season: https://t.co/W2mZYUqAp3
“Jack was really playing well and making big strides this year before another unfortunate setback. He is loved by his teammates and everyone in our program will support Jack during his recovery. ”- Fran McCaffery pic.twitter.com/OMG1ShiA79
– Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 26, 2021
It appears that Nunge injured the same right knee as an ACL he tore a year ago in a non-contact move early in the competition.
The university’s release says Nunge broke the meniscus. He will have surgery next week and is expected to be out for the next four to six months.
The implications for this injury are wide-ranging. Nunge was Luka Garza’s main (only) reserve in the squad when Garza needed a breather, and Fran McCaffery was eager to play both at the same time.
He led the Iowa bank with 7 points and 5 boards per game, and had attempts at 18 points against Ohio State and Michigan State earlier in the year.
Now, Iowa will be forced to go with a small lineup when Garza needs a breather, as it seems highly unlikely that Josh Ogundele will see playing time of any importance at the end of the season. Keegan Murray becomes the actual backup 5 now with 6’8 ” and 215 pounds. With the tournament time coming, it hurts a lot.
Nunge suffered many difficulties throughout his university career, with a family tragedy affecting him at the beginning of the season. So, I’m going to let Elvis take care of this from here.
I rarely throw F bombs here, so get ready ….
Any force in the universe that attracts Jack Nunge: Fuck you. Leave the child alone.
– Hawkeye Elvis (@HawkeyeElvis) February 26, 2021
Good luck to Jack. We wish him the fastest recovery.