Murray State guard Zay Jackson tears ACL, out for season

Murray State guard Zay Jackson‘s comeback has been derailed before it could even begin. The Murray Ledger and Times is reporting that Jackson tore his ACL at a practice Saturday, and will miss the entire season.

An MRI Monday afternoon confirmed the tear.

Jackson, who missed the entire 2012-13 season due to an off-court incident the summer before, was expected to be the Racers leader this season. Murray State graduated much of their production from the year before, including Houston Rockets draft pick Isaiah Canaan.

With Jackson out, the Racers will be relying on a young backcourt, with freshman Cameron Payne playing along side Dexter Fields. They’ll get a boost in December, when Clemson transfer T.J. Sapp becomes eligible.

With a tough schedule, and little in the way of experience, the Racers outlook wasn’t great with a fully healthy Jackson, with most, including us (Foreshadowing!), picking the Racers in the middle of the OVC West Division. Now, the Racers have an even steeper climb to stay with the top of the conference, and possibly even to keep their impressive streak of 26-straight winning seasons intact.