Iowa's Gatens hurts hand, out indefinitely

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery announced today that junior Matt Gatens has suffered a hand injury and will be out indefinitely.  Gatens tore a tendon in his left, non-shooting hand, Tuesday during practice.  The shooting guard will have surgery Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery.

Gatens, who has started every game in his Hawkeye career, was Iowa's leading scorer a year ago, averaging 12.3 points.  The Iowa City native was also Iowa's top scoring threat from the free throw line (84-101, .832) and beyond the arc (58-177, .328) last season.  Gatens earned all-Big Ten recognition as a freshman and sophomore.  He was an all-Big Ten Freshman team honoree in 2009 and an honorable mention all-conference selection a year ago.

Iowa opens its season Nov. 7 when it hosts Illinois-Springfield in an exhibition at 3:30 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.