Arkansas announces key player out indefinitely after knee surgery
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As Arkansas tries to hang in the SEC title picture, the job just got a little more challenging.
The Razorbacks announced Thursday night that wing Karter Knox underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a left meniscus injury. The school said there is no current timetable for his return to the court.
Knox did not play in Wednesday night’s 117-115 defeat at Alabama. The result dropped the Razorbacks to 19-7 on the season and 9-4 in SEC play — 2 games back of Florida for the top spot.
In 22 appearances this season, Knox holds averages of 8.1 points per contest (sixth on the team) while adding 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists on 46.0/37.7/72.7 shooting splits.
Knox started 24 times as a freshman for Arkansas last season, then put off entry in the NBA Draft to return for a second season in Fayetteville. That encore has been anything but smooth, as injuries have plagued him throughout the campaign.
He missed the season opener against Southern with turf toe. He injured his hip during a road loss to Auburn in mid-January. He missed 2 games earlier this month with a knee injury, then played just 6 minutes in his first game back before seemingly reaggravating the injury and leaving the game for good.
Arkansas has 5 regular-season games remaining. Four of them are against SEC teams hungry to win and improve their standing in the NCAA Tournament. The other is against Florida in Gainesville.
If a title charge is to be made, Arkansas will need others to step up. The Razorbacks have a 9% chance to take the regular-season SEC crown, according to Kalshi.
The Hogs host a Mizzou team on Saturday that has won 5 of its last 7 and just knocked off Vanderbilt.
In Knox’s absence, Billy Richmond III should continue to see ample playing time. He has started 4 straight and seen at least 34 minutes in each of the last 3 games. Richmond scored 25 points in the win over Auburn and 20 in the loss to Alabama.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
