Creighton standout point guard Maurice Watson Jr. is done for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during Monday's 72-67 victory over Xavier.
Watson, who leads the nation in assists at 8.5 per game, was injured after driving for a basket and landing hard. An MRI exam on Tuesday confirmed the torn ACL.
"We are sorry to learn of the severity of Maurice's injury, but are thankful for his contributions since joining the Bluejay program three years ago," coach Greg McDermott said in a statement. "Our team will regroup, and we have a lot of young men who are capable of stepping up to fill the void in Maurice's absence. Maurice's leadership role on our team will continue to be a huge part of our success."
Watson, who averages 12.9 points, is a prime reason why the seventh-ranked Bluejays (18-1, 5-1 Big East) are off to the best start in school history.
He expressed his disappointment over the devastating injury on his Instagram account.
"My MRI discovered I suffered a torn ACL," Watson wrote. "I'm devastated in the fact that I cannot finish out the season with my boys & that my college career is cut short during the best basketball I've ever played in my life.
"I've gotten to experience a lot of things in these 5 years. This is a sad time now, but God has a plan for me. My boys got my back & I will be on the sidelines all the way, even if a wheelchair!"
Watson was in his second season with the Bluejays. He played his first two college seasons at Boston University.
Creighton hosts Marquette on Saturday.
