Official word: Illini big man Mike Thorne Jr. out indefinitely

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Mike Thorne Jr. is out indefinitely, the Illini announced Monday night.

After reports earlier in the day that Thorne could potentially miss the remainder of the season, Illinois announced that the big man had surgery to remove a torn meniscus and that he is out indefinitely.

Thorne was injured during Illinois' loss to Iowa State on Saturday, only playing 13 minutes in that game.

After transferring to Illinois from Charlotte this offseason, Thorne played well in the season's first seven games, averaging 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, recording double-doubles in two games.

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Thorne's absence in the frontcourt is a big deal for the Illini, who don't have anyone who matches his size. Increased minutes will likely fall to Maverick Morgan and Michael Finke.

The injury comes at a bad time for Illinois, which was finally getting over some of the many injuries that plagued the team during the preseason and the early portion of the season. Kendrick Nunn returned from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb a few weeks earlier than expected, Jalen Coleman-Lands is past the stress fracture in his leg he dealt with during the preseason, Leron Black is playing following surgery to repair a torn meniscus and Jaylon Tate returned from a brief absence following surgery on a dislocated finger. Tracy Abrams is out for the season following a preseason Achilles tear.

Thorne's injury sets the team's health progress back.

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