WASHINGTON _ Akeem Springs transferred to Minnesota for his senior year, believing the Gophers would give him a chance to finish his career in the NCAA Tournament.
But Springs now probably won't get that opportunity. He suffered what is likely a torn right Achilles' tendon injury in the second half of Minnesota's 63-58 win against Michigan State on Friday in the Big Ten tournament.
"I don't think it's looking good," coach Richard Pitino said after the game. "We think it's a popped Achilles'. Our doctors ... I think they're pretty sure of it. It's a huge blow. If that is the case, I feel awful for Akeem. My heart dropped."
Springs, a 6-foot-4 guard and team captain, fell to the floor after the Gophers grabbed a defensive rebound near the four-minute mark of the second half Friday. He couldn't put weight on his right leg and needed assistance getting to the locker room.
"I just felt like something popped in the back of my leg," Springs said in the locker room after the game, using crutches.
The Waukegan, Ill., native had six points on 2-for-4 shooting from 3-point range in 28 minutes against Michigan State. Springs averaged 9.6 points and led the team with 65 3-pointers during the regular season.
"I hate it," Pitino added. "He doesn't deserve that. His leadership has transformed this team. Our guys, they need to rally around him because he deserves that. He came here with no ego. He transformed our locker room. He made some huge shots."
Pitino said he would likely move freshman Amir Coffey to shooting guard and play freshman Michael Hurt and sophomore Ahmad Gilbert more at small forward. Sophomore guard Dupree McBrayer also started the first 19 games before Springs replaced him in the starting lineup Jan. 21 against Wisconsin.
