Iowa's Recker Out Six Weeks
Luke Recker, who has led No. 18 Iowa to first place in the Big Ten, probably will miss the rest of the regular season because of a broken right kneecap.
The injury apparently happened in a 71-66 victory over Indiana last Saturday, John Albright, the Iowa team physician, said Friday.
Albright said the injury could keep Recker out for "as little as six weeks or possibly more."
There are only four weeks left in the regular season, which ends March 4. According to Albright's timetable, Recker could be back for the Big Ten tournament, which begins March 8.
If Iowa makes the NCAA tournament, the Hawkeyes would start play March 15-16.
Recker, a 6-foot-6 junior, is Iowa's leading scorer with an 18.1 average. At the halfway point in the conference season, Iowa (17-4, 6-2 Big Ten) is tied for first with Illinois and Michigan State.
"Luke's loss is a big one," coach Steve Alford said. "His scoring and leadership on the court are why we're tied for first in the league standings."
Recker's right knee has been bothering him much of the season because of tendinitis and a bruise. Albright said the break probably was caused by a direct hit on the knee.
"There was never any swelling until after the game, which leads us to that conclusion," Albright said.
Recker played 35 minutes in the game, his first against the Hoosiers since leaving Indiana, and finished with 27 points and eight rebounds.
He sat out Iowa's last game, a 64-55 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night.
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