Its official: Verdell Jones has a torn ACL.
His season, quite obviously, is over. His career is as well. Jones is a senior that spent three years toiling away as Indiana struggled to field a competitive team. Now, he will miss his only chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.
“This is heartbreaking news,” said IU Coach Tom Crean in a statement. “His contribution to our program over the course of his career, and especially this season, is immeasurable. He was playing his best basketball and really had embraced his role on this team as a player and as a leader. We are proud of the career he has had at Indiana University and he, as much as anyone, deserved the opportunity to enjoy everything we have worked so hard for and are experiencing as a team. We appreciate all the prayers that have been said on his behalf.”
If you want an idea of how much this injury has effected the Indiana team, think about this: Tom Crean broke down into tears on the postgame radio show yesterday.
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.