All Big-Ten guard out for year

The hopes of making the NCAA tournament for the Hoosier women's basketball team hit a major roadblock when senior guard/forward Jenny DeMuth tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and subsequently ended her 2004-05 season.\nThe injury happened within the opening minutes of the first practice of the season. During a half-court scrimmage while on defense, DeMuth stepped the wrong way and went down on the court. After DeMuth came off the court in pain, she had an MRI test Saturday confirming the bad news for the Hoosiers. \nIU coach Kathi Bennett addressed the team during practice Monday about the senior's injury. \nThough DeMuth will be out for this season, the team is planning on applying to the NCAA for a medical redshirt, which would grant DeMuth one more year of eligibility for the 2005-06 season.\nThe team was looking for the preseason All-Big Ten first team member to make significant contributions for a squad that retained every member from last year's 12-17 team. DeMuth led the Hoosiers in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest.\nLosing an important cog this early in the season is a tough way to start the season, Bennett said.\n"Jenny is the heart and soul of our team. There is no doubt that she will be missed tremendously," Bennett said in a statement. "But we still have everyone back from last year, and I have faith that our remaining players will step up and make up for the loss."\nIn addition to leading the team in scoring and rebounding, DeMuth was also named to the second team All-Big Ten by the media and third team by the coaches last season. She finished the season achieving the 1,000 point mark Feb. 19 against Michigan and currently sits at 15th on the all-time scoring list with 1,088 points. \nDeMuth was named Big Ten Player of the Week twice during the 2003-04 season -- the first came after leading the Hoosiers to a come from behind win versus Western Illinois, highlighted by 17 unanswered points to lead IU to victory. The second time occurred when she led IU to an Indiana Classic championship in route to earning tournament most valuable player honors.\nDespite being out for the remainder of the season, DeMuth's spirits are high about returning in the future, she said.\n"It is disappointing, but I am very thankful to have a lot of support from my family, teammates and coaches," DeMuth said. "I am confident with the help of our athletic training staff; I will be back in full strength for next season. Our team still has a lot to be excited about for the upcoming year; we have some great returning players that can really contribute. I still look forward to being their leader and helping them out in anyway I can."\nOther members of the team were unavailable for comment.\nThe Hoosiers will continue with practice until their first game of the year, an exhibition game against the Australian Institute of Sport at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in Assembly Hall.\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.