MILWAUKEE -- Marquette broke into the Associated PressTop 25 this week thanks to its quick start, but got some bad news Tuesday.

Starting forward Odartey Blankson will miss three weeks due to a stress fracture in his left foot, the school said.

Blankson, a sophomore, started all five of Marquette's games this season and 33 of 34 during his career. He was a member of the 2000-01 Conference USA all-freshman team, was averaging 6.6 points per contest and was second on the club in rebounding with a 5.2 per game average after five games for the No. 23 Golden Eagles, who are off to a 5-0 start.

"Obviously, this is a blow to our team," coach Tom Crean said. "Odartey had an excellent off\season in improving his strength and conditioning as well as his overall game. However, over the past week, we could tell that there was something holding him back and limiting his effectiveness. Without a doubt, the intangibles of his leadership and toughness are a major part of our team and will have to be picked up by everybody else. "

Condon indicated that Blankson will be fitted with a walking boot and that the injury would be re-evaluated in two weeks.