Who Is Emmanuel Bandoumel & how does his season injury affect Nebraska Cornhuskers? All you need to know

The Nebraska Cornhuskers lost another key starter when it was announced Monday that Emmanuel Bandoumel will have career-ending knee surgery. Bandoumel, a fifth-year senior and SMU transfer, had his knee buckle in the first half in Saturday's 76-65 loss to Penn State.

Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg announced that Dandoumel's collegiate career had come to an end. Junior forward Juwan Gary is also out for the season with a shoulder injury suffered in the last two weeks. And redshirt freshman guard Quaran McPherson has been out all season since suffering a knee injury in August.

" I am heartbroken for Emmanuel to have his college career end this way," Hoiberg told the Huskers Radio Network after the Penn State loss. "I've said all season that Emmanuel is one of the best defenders in the country, and he impacts the game in so many ways before the measurables.

"He is also one of the best culture guys I've had the pleasure to coach. He always comes into the gym with a positive attitude and will do anything for the team."

The Quebec native played at Hill College before he made it to SMU. Bandoumel had played 84 consecutive games dating to his SMU days. He finished the season averaging 8.4 points, 2.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in 20 games. He was an impactful two-way player and one of the better defensive players in the country.

Emmanuel Bandoumel would usually guard the best guard on the opposing team.

Someone will have to find a way to step up to salvage the second half of the season for the Cornhuskers (10-10, 3-6 Big Ten), who are 13th in the Big Ten.

Sophomore C.J. Wilcher took the place of the injured guard to start the second half against Penn State. He moved to the bench two games ago and is averagng 8.7 ppg and 1.0 apg in 29.6 minutes per game. He will more than likely be moved back into the starting lineup, expected to give more production with the new void.

In the 100 games that Emmanuel Bandoumel played he finished his college career with 880 points, 351 rebounds and 160 assists in three seasons at SMU and one at Nebraska.