Dreams for another Ivy title for the men's basketball team took a hit yesterday when results came back on guard Darren Smith's knee injury.
The sophomore, who took a knock on the kneecap early in the first half Friday against Drexel, will miss the remainder of this season with a fractured right patella. Smith will likely undergo surgery to repair the fracture in the near future.
As one of the only returning players with any experience to speak of, Smith was expected to play an integral role on coach Glen Miller's second Penn squad - especially with junior wing Tommy McMahon also sitting out the year after hip surgery.
Smith became a regular starter in the final 11 games of his freshman campaign. For the year, he averaged 4.2 points in 14.5 minutes per game. The Elizabeth, N.J. native put up career highs of 17 against both Florida Gulf Coast and Harvard, each time finding his range from the outside to add a scoring punch.
The loss leaves seniors Brian Grandieri and Mike Kach as Penn's only players that averaged over 10 minutes last year.
"He was one of the guys that was experienced," said Grandieri, the Quakers' captain. "But I think we have other guys that are going to have to step up, and I think they will. As much as it hurts, I think it's an opportunity for other guys to make an impact."
Smith received his results yesterday afternoon, after the team had already practiced in the morning.
"The guys are going to take it pretty tough, I think," Grandieri said.
