Aric Holman to have knee surgery, out up to four months

STARKVILLE -- Incoming freshman Aric Holman will have knee surgery on Wednesday and will miss three to four months, Mississippi State coach Ben Howland told the Clarion-Ledger.

The micro fracture surgery is to repair a patellofemoral disorder that causes pain in the front of the knee. It's a result of repetitive stress that wears down cartilage, eventually leading to cartilage detaching from the bone.

The procedure could jeopardize Holman's first year in Starkville.

Holman signed with the Bulldogs at the end of May as a four-star, 6-foot-10 swing forward. The Owensboro, Kentucky native averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 blocks per game last year.

Holman is the fifth Bulldog to have surgery this year. Craig Sword had a second back surgery in the spring. Travis Daniels had surgery in May for a sports hernia. Fallou Ndoye should return by October after surgery on his wrist. Earlier this month, Xavian Stapleton underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Sword, MSU recovering from an offseason of surgeries

Without Holman, Mississippi State is limited to Ndoye, Daniels and Gavin Ware in the frontcourt.

Howland hoped to use Holman as a swing-power forward that could spread the floor for Ware and Ndoye inside.

Holman shot better than 60 percent from beyond the arc last year. He's also a very good passer.

"He has an unbelievable skill level," Howland said when Holman signed in May. "His ability to shoot the ball and he's not a good passer, he's a great passer. He can handle the ball on the floor. He's got a very, very bright future."

Howland believes Aric Holman will make immediate impact

The role now belongs to Daniels, who shot 28.9 percent from 3 last season.

Howland has raved about Ndoye's progression during the offseason. Ndoye's biggest problem was staying on the court last year. He averaged a foul every five minutes. He fouled out of four games last season.

Ware returns as the veteran among the bigs. He finished second on the team last year averaging 10 points per game. He also led the squad with 7.1 rebounds per game. Howland said in the offseason, he wants to get Ware more touches in the post this year.

Practice opens for the Bulldogs on Oct. 5. The season begins Nov. 13 against Eastern Washington.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.