Hofstra's Jamal Coombs-McDaniel out for year with knee issues

A bad start to Hofstra's season has gotten even worse, as Jamal Coombs-McDaniel will sit out the year with a knee injury, according to Jeff Goodman of CBS.

Coombs-McDaniel averaged 5.6 points per game off the bench for a UConn team that won the 2011 National Championship, but hasn't played since the title game against Butler. He transferred out of Connecticut following charges for marijuana possession that have since been cleared from his record after compliance with court orders. He sat out last season due to transfer rules, was suspended for the beginning of this year due to violation of team rules, and hasn't been able to suit up since due to the knee issue. Coach Mo Cassara confirmed he'd miss the whole year.

Cassara built his squad around transfers, but it hasn't worked out quite as well as he hoped. Penn State transfer Taran Buie is leading the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game. The second-leading scorer and top rebounder, Jimmy Hall, was among four players suspended and charged with burglary earlier this season. They've lost every game since losing those four players, part of a six-game losing streak in a dismal 3-8 year. The return of the 6'7 Coombs-McDaniel would've been a welcome addition to help win some games heading into CAA play, but they won't get it.