Point guard Bryant McIntosh leaves game with left knee injury

UPDATE (4:20 CST, December 31st): McIntosh had an MRI and there was no significant ligament damage to his left knee. His status is now day-to-day.

Less than 24 hours after Clayton Thorson exited the Music City Bowl with a right knee injury, Bryant McIntosh had to be helped to the locker room at Allstate Arena after suffering a left knee injury against Brown.

The point guard was aided off the court early in the second half after fighting for a pass tipped by Zach Hunsaker. Hunsaker landed on McIntosh’s left leg diving for the 50-50 ball.

Northwestern survived Brown’s 10-2 run which followed the injury and topped the Bears 95-73. McIntosh did not return to the sideline. He left the game with 13 points and 3 assists.

Regardless of the severity of the injury, which is obviously the main issue, Northwestern starts Big Ten play in three days against Nebraska. The Wildcats also have a critical game at Penn State next Friday, which may be make-or-break at this point. Northwestern is already on the fringe of the NCAA Tournament picture as it stands, and any time missed by their star point guard is not good. As we’ve catalogued before, Bryant McIntosh is usually Northwestern’s entire offense, statistically. We have no idea how to envision how the team will play without McIntosh. Surviving an Ivy League squad is one thing, conference play will be a different story.