UConn's Dyson May Be Done for Season

When Jerome Dyson went down early in UConn's win over Syracuse Wednesday night, it looked fairly innocent. It appeared he banged knees with a Syracuse player fighting through a screen, and, at first glance hardly seemed like the kind of injury to worry about.

But an MRI today showed that it was much worse.

Dyson suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. The injury requires surgery and the chances are good that Dyson is done for the season. The loss of Dyson is a huge blow to UConn, which has looked like one of, if not the best, team in the country.

The final determination on Dyson's season will depend on the extent of the damage to the knee. That will not be learned until the surgery is performed next week.

Dyson is UConn's second-leading scorer with 13.2 points per game. He also leads the team in steals, is second in assists, third in rebounding and has averaged over 29 minutes per game. Dyson is a wing guard that specializes in slashing to the basket and is probably the team's best defender on the perimeter.

Last year, UConn's hope for a deep NCAA Tourney run was dashed when point guard A.J. Price suffered a torn ACL in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This year, the Huskies hopes were even brighter, but another knee injury could again be the beginning of the end.

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North Carolina State's Dennis Horner, back, pulls in a rebound over Wake Forest's Tony Woods during the first half at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, Feburary 12, 2009. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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North Carolina State's Tracy Smith goes for two while defended by Wake Forest's Chas McFarland and Tony Woods, right, during the first half at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, Feburary 12, 2009. Despite the contact, no foul was called on the play. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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Duke guard Nolan Smith (2) tries to get inside the North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) and Ty Lawson (5) during second half action at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, Wednesday, February 11, 2009. UNC defeated Duke, 101-87. (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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University of North Carolina fans celebrate in Chapel Hill,N.C., after North Carolina defeated Duke on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. It was the first of two regular season matchups between the rival schools. (AP Photo/JASON ARTHURS /The News and OIbserver)

University of North Carolina fans celebrate in Chapel Hill, N.C., after North Carolina defeated Duke on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. It was the first of two regular season matchups between the rival schools.(AP Photo/JASON ARTHURS/News and Observer)

Utah guard Lawrence Borha breaks for the basket past San Diego State forward Kyle Spain during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, in Salt Lake City. Utah defeated San Diego 67 - 55 (AP Photo/Kenny Crookston)

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San Diego State forward Kyle Spain, right, drives to the basket past Utah forward Shaun Green during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, in Salt Lake City. Utah defeated San Diego 67-55. (AP Photo/Kenny Crookston)

San Diego State forward Ryan Amoroso (43) is fouled by Utah forward Shaun Green (21) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah defeated San Diego 67-55. (AP Photo/Kenny Crookston)

Duke's Gerald Henderson (15) splits the North Carolina defense of Ty Lawson (5) and Danny Green (14) during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, Wednesday, February 11, 2009. UNC defeated Duke, 101-87. (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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