Purdue fans got some devastating news this morning as their all-american forward Robbie Hummel tore the acl in his right knee -- the same acl he injured in February last season -- in practice today. As if the news itself isn't heartbreaking enough, Hummel hurt the knee on the second drill of his first practice back.
Ugh.
Anyone with a soul has to hurt for this kid. Purdue was expected to be a Final Four contender last season when Hummel went down with the injury. And while his teammates rallied valiantly for a run to the Sweet 16, where they lost to eventual national champion Duke, Purdue just isn't the same team with out Hummel.
Hummel averaged 15.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and 2.1 apg last season, but it was his ability to rebound and defend the four while, essentially, being a small forward that made him so valuable. He was a matchup problem on a nightly basis, a leader for the Boilermakers, and by all accounts just a great kid.
Purdue was going to be a popular pick for preseason No. 1 and a favorite to win the national title this season. Without Hummel, both of those predictions will obviously take a hit.
If there is a silver lining here, its that the injury occurred as early as it did. Purdue still has some talent. E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson are both potential all-americans and there are some solid role players on the roster. Matt Painter is an excellent coach, and he now has a full month to figure out what he wants to do with this team without Hummel in the lineup.
Sometimes life just isn't fair. I think we can all agree this is one of those times.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Robbie Hummel is done for the year, again. |
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2 comments:
What are the chances that he redshirts this year medically? Here is a man who is has had back issues his Soph. year, Knee his Jr. year, and now this. Is it worth it for him to return?
He is redshirting from what I've seen. Since he hasn't used a redshirt yet, he will be eligible if he wants to play.
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