Starting center Leach out after Saturday knee injury

Senior center George Leach suffered a left knee injury in Saturday's 80-77 overtime win against Xavier at Conseco Fieldhouse. The injury leaves him out indefinitely.\nLeach came down awkwardly on his left knee after attempting to block a shot by Xavier guard Lionel Chalmers. He underwent an MRI Saturday night and it was decided that he would be sidelined until he recovers.\nTrainer Tim Garl, Dr. Larry Rink and Dr. Steve Ahlfeld will be working with Leach to rehab his knee.\n"I definitely plan to come back," Leach said in a statement. "Tim, Dr. Rink and Dr. Ahlfeld will make sure I get the right treatments and rehabilitation so that I can come back later this year."\nA starter of the team's first three games this season, the 6-foot-11-inch Leach has averaged eight points and had a season-high eight blocks at Vanderbilt. He ranks fifth in IU history with 155 career blocks. \nIU coach Mike Davis said the team needs Leach's defensive presence in the low post and that Leach has been working hard and continues to develop.\n"This is unfortunate for George personally as well as for our team," Davis said.\nLeach said he is going to encourage and support the team as much as possible and that this makes a good opportunity for players like junior Mike Roberts, freshmen Pat Ewing Jr. and Jessan Gray-Ashley to establish themselves early in the season.\nAfter Monday's practice, Davis said he plans to start either Ewing Jr. or Roberts in Leach's place tonight at Wake Forest.