Illinois loses starting center Thorne to knee injury

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Illinois starting center Mike Thorne Jr. is out indefinitely with a torn meniscus in his left knee. Illinois (3-4) announced Monday that

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Illinois starting center Mike Thorne Jr. is out indefinitely with a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Illinois (3-4) announced Monday that the fifth-year center was injured in Saturday's loss to then-No. 4 Iowa State. Thorne had surgery Monday.

Thorne was averaging 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. He is the team's leading rebounder, playing 22.1 minutes a game.

Thorne has started all seven games for Illinois, which played the Cyclones evenly before he left and eventually lost 84-73.

Illinois has had a series of injuries this season. Point guard Tracy Abrams is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Kendrick Nunn, Leron Black and Jaylon Tate have all missed games so far.

The Illini host Notre Dame on Wednesday.