Nebraska basketball still has enough scholarship players to field a starting five, but not by much. The latest blow, in a season with its share of them, came Monday when Coach Tim Miles announced that freshman guard Amir Harris is likely out for the Big Ten Tournament after injuring the meniscus in his left knee during Sunday’s game against Iowa.
That game, a 93-91 overtime win, was one of Harris's best. He finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and two assists, all season-highs. He also hit the game-winning layup and played every minute of overtime after starters Isaiah Roby and Tanner Borchardt fouled out in regulation.
Harris's injury leaves Nebraska with six available scholarship players and two walk-ons as the Huskers head to Chicago to take on Rutgers. Sophomore guard Thomas Allen would be the seventh, but is dealing with a high ankle sprain and Miles said he's questionable for Wednesday's game. Fellow sophomore guard Nana Akenten was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules late last week.
Harris, who missed six games earlier this season while recovering from mono, was averaging 2.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
Nebraska (16-15, 6-14), the 13-seed, and 12-seed Rutgers (14-16, 7-13) tip off at 5:30 p.m. CT on BTN. The Scarlet Knights took the only regular-season matchup between the teams, winning 76-69 at home on Jan. 21.
