Freshman guard Ellenson out with broken hand

October 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers men

Shooting guard Wally Ellenson from Rice Lake, Wisc. will miss 6-8 weeks after breaking his left hand during practice on Tuesday.

The freshman joins Timberwolves forward Kevin Love as Minnesota athletes who have suffered broken hands in the past month. Ellenson, however, did not break his hand doing knuckle push-ups.

Instead, the 6-foot-6-inch, three-star recruit, broke his hand when it got caught in another player’s jersey during a rebounding drill.

Ellenson could miss up to 12 games but coach Tubby Smith alluded to the fact that the team might redshirt him, although he said it was too early to make that decision.

Smith did say that surgery will not be necessary.

On Thursday, the Gophers open exhibition play against Minnesota State – Mankato at Williams Arena.