This is why the Notre Dame basketball team can't have nice things. Amid a start to the season that has the Fighting Irish getting votes in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in head coach Marcus Shrewsberry's career in South Bend, the team reportedly got some terrible news about star guard Markus Burton.
Burton exited the game against TCU early in the first half after landing awkwardly. He then had to be helped off the court and immediately into the locker room. Video of the incident showed that the star guard couldn't put any weight on his leg.
After the injury, Notre Dame has said that things were "not good." On Tuesday morning, ND Insider reported that Burton is expected to be out for several weeks, and there is at least some chance that he could be out for the rest of the season.
Notre Dame basketball braces for extended Markus Burton absence after severe injury
“According to multiple sources close to Burton, 'not good' likely means surgery and an extended absence for Burton, who leads the Irish (7-3) in scoring (18.5 ppg), assists (3.7), steals (16) and minutes (30.1)," Tom Noie wrote.
"When Notre Dame returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 10, at home against Idaho, Burton will not be in the lineup. He won't be in the lineup Saturday at home against Evansville or when Notre Dame closes non-conference play Sunday, December 21, at home against Purdue Fort Wayne."
Noie added that Burton's return is very open-ended at this point.
“One source told the Tribune that the left foot/ankle injury will require a longer recovery time than when Burton missed seven games last season with a right knee injury.”
Shrewsberry is set to meet the media on Tuesday afternoon and could shed light on how long Notre Dame basketball believes it will be without Markus Burton. The team has two more games in its non-conference slate before beginning its ACC schedule.