Report: Illini star Rice out with broken hand

Posted January 06, 2015 8:56 am

Associated Press

According to reports, Illinois will lose guard Rayvonte Rice (24) for five to six weeks due to a broken left hand. Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN - Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice is out indefinitely after fracturing his left hand in practice.

The 6-foot-4 senior suffered the injury during practice Monday, coach John Groce said. He will undergo surgery Wednesday and no timetable has been set for his return.

Rice also suffered a groin injury early in the Big Ten season last year. He didn't miss any games, but his performance was affected.

"If anyone doesn't deserve this, it's him," Groce said.

Rice leads the Illini in scoring (17.2 points per game) and rebounding (6.9). He had 20 points of 7-of-8 shooting in Saturday's 77-61 loss at Ohio State for the Illini (10-5, 0-2 Big Ten).

Groce said the injury hasn't led him to consider lifting the redshirt of freshman Michael Finke.

"Next man up," Groce said. "We've got to figure it out."

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported (http://bit.ly/1DgtTBs) surgery could sideline Rice for as long as six weeks, or until about Feb. 17. That period includes 11 games, starting with Wednesday's Big Ten home opener against No. 11 Maryland.

Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice, the team's leading scorer, broke his left hand in practice and is expected to have surgery and miss five to six weeks. Associated Press

In addition to being the leading scorer for Illinois, Rayvonte Rice also is the team's leading rebounder this season. Associated Press

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