October 17, 2007

Associated Press
Rivals.com College Basketball

SOUTH BEND, Ind. ? Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody, a Big East all-rookie team selection last season, tore a ligament in his right thumb and could miss the first six games of the season.

Harangody is expected to miss three to six weeks with the injury, which the school said he hurt during a practice Monday. He will be in a cast for the next several weeks and his status will be evaluated in three weeks.

The 6-foot-8 Harangody was Notre Dame's fourth-leading scorer at 11.2 points a game and second-leading rebounder at 6.2 a game. He started 16 games as the Irish went 24-8 last season.

Notre Dame opens the season Nov. 12 at home against Long Island, then plays three games in a tournament in the Virgin Islands.

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