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Friday, February 2, 2001
Recker may return for postseason
Associated Press
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – 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 (currently No. 17 ESPN/USA Today, No. 18 AP) makes the NCAA Tournament, the Hawkeyes would start play
March 15-16.
Recker, a 6-foot-6 junior, leads Iowa with an 18.1 scoring
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 bothered him much of the season because
of tendinitis and a bruise. Albright said the fracture most likely
was caused by a direct hit to the outside part of the kneecap,
possibly from another player's knee.
The fracture is a small crack on the side of the kneecap,
Albright said. It does not extend across the knee or go through the
bone.
"He thinks it happened in the first half," Albright said.
"The way he plays, he goes around all those picks, it could have
happened anytime."
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.
Albright said he would treat the injury with an ultrasound
device that has been shown to speed healing of fractures.
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