VERMILLION, S.D. - An MRI revealed earlier this week that junior guard Luke Tibbetts of the South Dakota men's basketball team suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the remainder of the 2003-04 season.

Tibbetts, a native of Sioux Falls, S.D., suffered the injury during the second half of USD's game at Northern State last Saturday, Dec. 13. The 6-3, 180-pound guard had started all seven games this season for the Coyotes, averaging 3.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.14 assists and an NCC leading 2.71 steals per game.

Tibbetts will undergo reconstructive surgery on the knee on Dec. 26, a procedure that will be performed by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Peter Rodman.

"We expect a full recovery and ability to participate next season," USD Head Athletic Trainer Bruce Fischbach said.

"I feel terrible for Luke," Head Coach Dave Boots said. "To lose a whole year like that is difficult. It's going to be hard on him and hard on our basketball team to lose a player like Luke. The guys on the team will have to step up.

"But we have a tremendous trainer in Bruce Fischbach, and combined with Luke's work ethic, between the two of them, Luke will be back next season," Boots said.

The fifth-ranked Coyotes will next be in action on Sunday night in the DakotaDome against Concordia-St. Paul starting at 7 p.m.