Penn State’s Mike Watkins ‘probably’ out for NIT

When the Nittany Lions take on Temple on Wednesday, they will be without their big man.

Penn State center Mike Watkins is “probably” out for the entire NIT, Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said.

Watkins — who averages 12.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game — has been nursing a right knee injury since the Nittany Lions’ home loss to Michigan on Feb. 21.

“It’s not easy for Mike. He wants to be out there helping his teammates. He wants to be out there on the court,” Chambers said. “He’s got to rehab, he’s got to get back as quick as he can. And who knows? Maybe we make a run and he can come back. We don’t know that. But right now he’s got to focus on his health and taking care of his academic stuff.”

This story was originally published March 11, 2018 at 10:57 PM with the headline "Penn State’s Mike Watkins ‘probably’ out for NIT."