Northwestern's basketball program received more bad news Tuesday when it was announced that senior forward Jared Swopshire underwent surgery on his right knee and will miss the remainder of the season.

 Swopshire injured his knee attempting a layup in the second half of Saturday's loss at Iowa.

It was the second season-ending surgery for a player critical to Northwestern's bid to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. Senior Drew Crawford underwent season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this season.

 Unlike Crawford, who will apply for a fifth season of eligibility, Swopshire will see a career that included a trip to the Final Four with Louisville last season come to a close.

"We all feel badly for Jared that he won't be able to play out the remainder of his final collegiate season," Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said. "He has been a terrific addition to the program, both on and off the court. He was enjoying a very productive year and was playing his most consistent basketball of the season when the injury occurred. There is every indication that he'll experience a full recovery."

Swopshire started all 24 games this season and was averaging 9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His average of 7.5 rebounds in Big Ten play ranks fifth in the league. His 6.7 rebounds is the highest average by a Northwestern player since Evan Eschmeyer averaged 10.1 per contest during the 1998-99 season.

Swopshire scored a career-high 22 points against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 15 while grabbing a career-best 16 boards at Nebraska on Jan. 26. The 16 rebounds were the most by a Northwestern player since Eschmeyer had 21 against Penn State on Jan. 20, 1999.

The Wildcats are also expected to be without center Alex Olah (concussion) when they play at Ohio State on Thursday.