Dawson Garcia sustained a blow below the belt during Minnesota’s game in Iowa City on Sunday, making it impossible for him to return to the court as the Gophers faced a collapse. He is currently listed as day-to-day leading up to the Gophers’ upcoming game against No. 2 Purdue on Thursday.
Coach Johnson mentioned during his weekly radio show on KFXN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities that Garcia’s availability will be determined by how he looks, feels, and responds by game day. Garcia had an impressive first half, scoring 18 points, and Minnesota held a significant lead of up to 20 points against the Hawkeyes. However, with just under 16 minutes remaining and the Gophers still leading by 18 points, Garcia suffered the groin injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the game.
Sitting on the sideline in a padded folding chair, Garcia witnessed Iowa outscore Minnesota 43-19 in the final 14:07, resulting in a 90-85 victory for Iowa. KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson reported on Tuesday that Garcia’s pain was too severe for him to rejoin the game on Sunday.
“It was a shot to the groin. If Dawson could have returned, he would have. Anyone who has experienced such pain knows its severity, particularly in the moment. Currently, he is day-to-day, but there is optimism that he will be ready to play on Thursday against Purdue,” Wolfson stated on SKOR North’s Mackey & Judd. “He just couldn’t make it back onto the court.”
