Earlier this year, when talking about his team’s extraordinary depth, Mark Turgeon speculated that the Terps would probably get through the season injury free, saying words to the effect of: “It’s only when you can afford an injury or two that you don’t get any.”

Sunday in practice, however, Maryland suffered its first significant injury as junior forward John Auslander went down with a broken left tibia and will be lost for the year. The 6-7 forward had played in only four games, but he was a favorite of Turgeon for his work ethic in practice.

“It’s a 12-week rehab,” Turgeon said. “He’s out for the year.”

Auslander played a season-high seven minutes in Maryland’s last game against Monmouth, starting the second half and hitting his lone field goal attempt.

Auslander, a graduate of Herndon High and a transfer from Greensboro College, was a valuable reserve for a depth-starved team last year but his role was diminished this season in a deep frontcourt with the addition of freshmen Shaquille Cleare and Charles Mitchell.

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Kdunleavy@washingtonexaminer.com