Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson announced today that starting forward Justin Safford suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Wednesday night’s 92-63 win over Colorado.

Safford will miss Saturday’s showdown at No. 6 Kansas State. According to a news release from the university, the injury will be reevaluated next week and a decision will be made then on treatment options.

Anderson did say in an interview with WHB radio in Kansas City that "eventually he’s going to have to have surgery."

Safford, a 6-foot-9 junior, was injured while converting a layup 7 minutes into the Colorado game. He fell to the floor and grabbed his left knee after scoring.

To this point in a 21-7 season, Mizzou has relied almost exclusively on a three-forward rotation: Safford, Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers. Sophomore Steve Moore, who has appeared in all 28 games, and seldom-seen freshman John Underwood likely will get more playing time because of Safford’s injury.

Safford averages 20 minutes, 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

via StL Today