Jack Nunge Suffers Torn ACL

[Blair Sanderson]

Jack Nunge Suffers Torn ACL

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa men’s basketball sophomore Jack Nunge suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his right knee in Sunday’s home game versus Cal Poly. The announcement came Monday by head coach Fran McCaffery.

The injury occurred late in the first half as Nunge was driving to the basket.

“All of us feel for Jack,” said McCaffery. “This is an unfortunate setback for a young man who spent countless hours in the gym and weight room last year preparing for this season. Jack has the full support of his teammates and coaches during his recovery.”

Nunge (6-foot-11, 245 pounds) started Iowa’s first five games, averaging six points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. The native of Newburgh, Indiana, redshirted last season.

 

[fkfootball]

IU fan here. I hate to hear that a fellow Hoosier native is injured. I hate injuries. I don’t even wish them on my least favorite teams. Just terrible.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

I figured when I saw the replay. Dammit. Poor kid

 

[StormHawk42]

Yikes. Essentially having to take two years off. I know if it were me, I’d probably lose some drive for the sport after that.

 

[longliveCS40]

That's awful. Just when it looked like he was coming into his own. Feel really bad for the kid. What a blow to this year's team.

 

[HawkAssassin]

He sacrificed for the team last year by redshirting. It sucks that this has to happen to a good guy. Chin up Jack.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

I feel terrible for the kid. I imagine Pemsl is in there full-time now. Assuming JB is in the process of shutting it down, I think we can say this is probably a lost season. There might be enough big Garza and Joe nights to get us to the NIT, but that might be the ceiling.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

So medical hardship is available? As unfortunate as it is to have the injury, it's at least some consolation if the year of eligibility isn't lost.

 

[fivecardstud14]

That's awful. Just when it looked like he was coming into his own. Feel really bad for the kid. What a blow to this year's team.

Sucks for Nunge. I don't think it's a blow to this team. Fran will be forced to not have two centers on the floor for 40 minutes.

 

[Jumpshot00]

That is really sad for him and the team. He was just shaking off the rust of sitting out a year. Garza, Pemsl, and Kriener hopefully stay healthy and out of foul trouble because there is big minutes for them.

 

[hooper56]

Yikes. Essentially having to take two years off. I know if it were me, I’d probably lose some drive for the sport after that.

This just makes me sick to my stomach. He will come back bigger and stronger and be a force next year. Cordel and Ryan can pick up the slack, but it sure stinks for Jack.

 

[ZumaHawk]

I feel bad for Jack and his team. Real bummer no doubt about it.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Effing awful. I can’t even imagine the work that Nunge has put in over the past year and a half to prepare for this season. Now, for him to have to not only try to improve and get ready for next year, but to have to spend this year on the bench (again) rehabbing from a torn ACL. Really feel for the guy...

As far as Iowa goes, it should be Pemsl rotating with Kriener and Garza. Otherwise, I really hope Fran considers going with a small lineup where Wieskamp plays a little bit of 4. We are probably going to have to, especially if foul trouble hits. Hopefully Pat is able to make it back and get acclimated fast

 

[Raptorpeeps]

That really sucks for Jack. I feel bad for him.

 

[jwardelt]

This just makes me sick to my stomach. He will come back bigger and stronger and be a force next year. Cordel and Ryan can pick up the slack, but it sure stinks for Jack.

ACL's suck. I wouldn't expect much from him next year. It'll take a year to trust the leg again. We've had a few knee injuries last several years. The first year back has never been real good. 2nd year is when they get back to normal.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Well that sucks. Hopefully he stays motivated and comes back bigger and stronger for next season. It certainly changes the rotational minutes for our bigs and it's still unknown if Pat will be available either for the rest of the year. I like Kriener and Pemsl a lot, and their minutes just went up significantly. Till will probably be a regular rotation guy now as well. Our room for further attrition just got razor thin however.

I really like this group, sucks to see a kid lost at this point in the season as he was starting to gain some confidence. We'll survive this but the NCAA bid might be further away than before, that's for sure.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

 

[PlazaHawkeye]

Yikes. Essentially having to take two years off. I know if it were me, I’d probably lose some drive for the sport after that.

I tore my ACLs 3 times playing basketball right, left, left... it does take away the drive. They are long rehabs.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

With JBo likely out and Nunge out, looks like Pemsl, Evelyn, and Till factor prominently for depth. Hate for this to happen to Nunge, but maybe it's an opportunity for Pemsl to shine given what he has been through. I was wrong about Dailey and hope I am right about Evelyn, but I think he has more potential than he has shown.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I feel terrible for the kid. I imagine Pemsl is in there full-time now. Assuming JB is in the process of shutting it down, I think we can say this is probably a lost season. There might be enough big Garza and Joe nights to get us to the NIT, but that might be the ceiling.

It's hard to say how the team will respond. They really haven't had JBo near 100% this season and Nunge came on the last 2 games. I think Pemsl is an upgrade defensively, but isn't the perimeter threat that Nunge was developing into. I liked what I saw from Pemsl last night--looked like he was getting his flow back. I think Till and Evelyn are OK defensively, but will need to get 8-10 ppg between them if they significantly more PT.

 

[And1Hawk]

Stinks for Nunge and everyone feels bad for his situation. Wonder if the added weight contributed to this?

 

[Biggus Blockus]

This Sucks bad for the young man. Long, painful rehab. Blow to the team as well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery both physical and mental Jack!

 

[skydog0784]

We really need to go to 4-1 sets for a lot of minutes given that news IMO.

JT - 1, CJF - 2, Connor & Joe W at the wings, Garza - 5. Kriener spell Garza at the 5 (while starting at the 4 I presume) against the real big teams. Work in Pemsl at the 4 spot - particularly against the big teams. Till & Evelyn will be needed to provide depth.

This is really bad news, I pretty much had them off the bubble this year with a possible NIT bid. Now it seems like NIT bubble to me. We don't have the talent / depth after the top 6 or 7 if Pemsl gets going.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I tore my ACL when I was 40 and asked the doctor 50 questions about the cause. He said nobody really knows. Kids can tear them when they are in high school with little wear and tear on their bodies. Specifically girls basketball and volleyball players have a very high rate of ACL tears.

I was jogging down the court after making a basket and looked like Nunge did last night. I thought someone tripped me because my knee just buckled under me. I am not a physical therapist or doctor, but do not think bulking up increases your odds. It's just a random wear-tear issue that affects people differently from what I was told. 5 years later tore my rotator cuff--same explanation from the doctor.

 

[HaydenHawk8]

Sucks, he was just getting into a rhythm. Damn two years off in a row is tough.


What does Iowa do? If I’m Fran I play a 4-1 type of offense with garza. Get your shooters on the outside and allow Garza the paint 1-1. With Tousiant he can be the guy who gets into the lane. Force everyone to collapse.

 

[QChawks]

Bummer

Riley Til time

 

[Rifler]

Looking like medical redshirts for Bohannon, Nunge and perhaps McCaffery...

 

[crstuff]

Sucks for him. Seems like a good kid. I'd like to see him as a power forward/center when he returns. Move him in from the wing.

 

[DewHawk]

This is really bad luck for Nunge and just very disappointing I am sure for Jack/team. I guess now it is more imperative that PMac gets back on the court. Pemsl has looked very slow and rusty so far, but..

 

[hooper56]

ACL's suck. I wouldn't expect much from him next year. It'll take a year to trust the leg again. We've had a few knee injuries last several years. The first year back has never been real good. 2nd year is when they get back to normal.

With normal healing and rehab, Jack will be back playing by summer. He will have some time to play his way back into shape.

 

[TRHawkeye145]

Bummer

Riley Til time

I'm sure Riley is a good guy but damn he should not be sniffing any significant minutes ever

 

[David1979]

Looking like medical redshirts for Bohannon, Nunge and perhaps McCaffery...

Nunge can't take a medical redshirt since he redshirted last year.

 

[David1979]

Sucks, he was just getting into a rhythm. Damn two years off in a row is tough.


What does Iowa do? If I’m Fran I play a 4-1 type of offense with garza. Get your shooters on the outside and allow Garza the paint 1-1. With Tousiant he can be the guy who gets into the lane. Force everyone to collapse.

I would go with a small lineup as well. But has Fran ever done that?

 

[hawktrooper1]

Nunge can't take a medical redshirt since he redshirted last year.

Medical hardship waiver. AKA the Jess Settles rule. He'll almost certainly be awarded an additional year given the timing.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Medical hardship waiver. AKA the Jess Settles rule. He'll almost certainly be awarded an additional year given the timing.

That was my question. The redshirt and medical hardship are completely separate issues, correct?

 

[David1979]

Medical hardship waiver. AKA the Jess Settles rule. He'll almost certainly be awarded an additional year given the timing.

You can't get a sixth year unless you miss the majority of 2 years due to injury. Because last year was a voluntary redshirt is in not for medical reasons. He won't get a sixth year.

 

[David1979]

That was my question. The redshirt and medical hardship are completely separate issues, correct?

Yes and no. They are separate in that they are used differently but not completely separate when calculating a player's eligibility clock.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Ugh. Sorry to hear about tha. Speedy recovery Jack!

 

[ICWestfan]

Honestly, I don't even remember him going down during the game, nor did I notice that he wasn't playing in the 2nd half. Not a slight, just had football games on as well and was working.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Get well Jack. We're all thinking of you and wish you the best.