Oct. 21--Because of a rash of preseason injuries, Illinois basketball is down a starting rotation.
Illinois guard Kendrick Nunn will miss eight weeks with a left thumb injury, an Illinois spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
Nunn injured his left thumb last week at a preseason practice. He will undergo surgery on Wednesday.
Add Nunn to a list that includes point guard Tracy Abrams (out for the season with an Achilles injury), forward Leron Black (out four to six weeks with a knee injury), freshman guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (slated for a Nov. 1 return from a stress fracture in a leg) and guard Jaylon Tate (out with a concussion).
The Illini also expected to have forward Darius Paul, who was dismissed from the team during the preseason.
Nunn ranked third last season in Illini scoring with 11.1 points per game and along with Malcolm Hill was expected to be a key to keeping the Illini afloat this season.
The Illini will rely even more on junior swingman Hill, both as a leader and a scorer. He ranked second last season on the team averaging 14.4 points per game.
The Illini season tips off Nov. 13 against North Florida.
