Taber to have knee surgery, will miss 10 weeks
J.D. Campbell, the Director of Media Relations from IU, sent the following release earlier this evening:
Indiana University senior Kyle Taber injured his knee last week and will undergo surgery tomorrow. He is expected to be out for 10 weeks.
“This is very unfortunate for Kyle,” said IU Coach Tom Crean. ”He has been a strong presence and has done things the right way for us since we arrived here. We will move forward and help him through his rehabilitation and look to him to provide us with the leadership that is expected from a fifth-year senior at Indiana.”
He started four games last year and averaged 1.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 22 games.
So instead of Indiana starting the season with one returning scholarship player, it’s looking like they’ll start the season with zero. In fact, Brett Finkelmeier will be the lone returning player on the roster when Hoosier Hysteria kicks off in October. Despite all of the recent optimism around the program, make no mistake about it, it’s going to be a rough season in Bloomington.
Update: Taber surgery goes off without a hitch (IDS basketblog)
(Photo credit: The Hoosier Scoop)
August 26th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Le sigh. I once compared this team to the movie necesary roughness, but at least they has one bench player from last years team. Man I'm really going to find another hobby becasue this is going to be one sad season.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Taber being gone has nothing to do with the ability of this team. It was unfortunate that he ever deserved to start in the first place and a testament to the type of team KS brought to IU. The team will bang the boards as well as they have in many seasons and I am finally proud to be called a Hoosier once again.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Look to the future IU fans!
August 27th, 2008 at 6:06 am
The fact it matters he won't play to start the season shows just how bad IU will be this year
August 27th, 2008 at 6:20 am
OPTIMISM PEOPLE, OPTIMISM!!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Long live Finkelmeier!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 6:53 am
yay Brett, we're cheering for you! LOL
August 27th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Egad, the 44 jersey is cursed!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Are people really that morose over this? It’s unfortunate that this had to happen to this kid, or any kid for that matter. But let’s put a little perspective on this. Were people on this blog really banking this season on how well Taber performed? Was he the tried and true floor general that was going to help the guys pull through in a close game? I just dont see that. This upcoming season has been a lost cause for a while now, and anything good that comes out of it is a huge bonus.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:57 am
not so much his playing ability on the court, more his senior leadership in the gym and during games … dont forget, all these new kids (with a few exceptions) are all 18 years old and leaving home for the first time to play bball for Indiana — there's a lot of pressure on them, especially with a new coach … so senior leadership was what i think most people were relying on him for …
August 27th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Exactly
August 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
He's also taller than 6'5″ and has five fouls to give.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Well said.
This loss will hurt the development of this team, especially the development of the bigs. Taber also has a pretty solid game. Yes, he's probably not a double-double guy or a freakish athlete, but he works hard and makes good decisions.
That said, 10 weeks from now is just Nov. 5., which is just the start of the exhibition season. So, get well soon Kyle…we need you.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Taber sucks!! This is not a big deal, no kid on a full ride is going to listen to some guy who is is 20 times worse than they are…so the leadership and all that does not matter. Lets just hope there are no suspensions and the program can look clean for next year when we start winning some games.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Taber sucks?? He may not be the most athletically gifted person on the planet, but he doesn't deserve “fans” like you saying he sucks. Try writing something productive next time or keep it to yourself so we don't have to read it.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
You're right bro. Hope you feel better Taber! We need you this year!!!!
August 28th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Taber sucks?? He may not be the most athletically gifted person on the planet, but he doesn't deserve “fans” like you saying he sucks. Try writing something productive next time or keep it to yourself so we don't have to read it.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
You're right bro. Hope you feel better Taber! We need you this year!!!!