Maryland F Evan Smotrycz out 4-6 weeks with foot injury

on Wednesday, it was reported that Maryland forward Evan Smotrycz had sprained his left ankle and would be unavailable for Maryland Madness. Well, for Maryland the situation grew madder Sunday night when the men's basketball office announced that Smotrycz had fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot and would miss four to six weeks. The injury is severe enough to require surgery which the senior will have later this week.

According to the release, the latter injury occurred in the last practice Friday just prior to Maryland Madness. Speaking of his forward, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said, "We are really disappointed for Evan, but knowing his high character and tireless work ethic, we have full confidence he will return and finish strong in his senior season."

After transferring from Michigan and sitting out the requisite year, Smotrycz appeared in 31 games for Maryland last season - starting all but three. He averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds for the 17-15 Terps. Smotrycvz is considered a stretch four and connected on 36.7 percent of his three point attempts. For his career, he averages 8.2 points and 4.3 rebounds. He was projected by most as a starter.

Turgeon said, "We have confidence that our front court players will step up in Evan's absence." Terrapins fans won't have long to wait to find out. The season tips off in earnest in less than a month when the Terps will host Wagner in College Park on November 14th. The timetable has him coming back either before the Central Connecticut game or the Virginia game, with the CBE Hall of Fame classic in between those two dates.