Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 2): Boo Buie Recovering From Surgery, Ohio State Lands Northwestern Transfer

Northwestern point guard Boo Buie is recovering from surgery on his right hand, according to reports, while 2023 four-star linebacker Nigel Glover — who was previously committed to Northwestern — committed to Ohio State on Tuesday.

As if Northwestern didn't have enough going on already, it was reported on Tuesday that star point guard Boo Buie is currently recovering from surgery on his right hand. Buie was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023 playing for coach Chris Collins and the Wildcats. 

News of the surgery was first reported by Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times.

It only gets worse for Northwestern on the football trail, as four-star linebacker Nigel Glover — originally the highest-ranked NU commit in the class of 2023 — announced Tuesday that he would transferring to Ohio State. 

Glover entered the transfer portal following the firing of coach Pat Fitzgerald amidst the ongoing Northwestern hazing scandal, and now will play ball for coach Ryan Day in Columbus. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Boo Buie Has Surgery on Right Hand

Buie was one of, if not the, main catalysts for the greatest season in the history of Northwestern men's basketball. 

The Wildcats' surprising run to a 22-12 record, a second place finish in the Big Ten regular season standings and only the second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history had much to do with Buie. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard averaged 17.3 points per game, and was the 'Cats' most dependable offensive engine, despite not bolstering the most efficient shooting splits. 

Buie scored 20 points or more 14 times in 2022-23, including a 35-point game in a close loss at Illinois, and a 26-point game in a rare Northwestern win over Indiana at Assembly Hall. 

Collins and Co. will still have the fifth-year guard next season, but regardless, the news that he had injured his shooting hand bad enough that it required surgery was alarming to quite a few fans. 

Buie injured his right hand during a recent summer practice and is currently wearing a plastic brace. A Northwestern spokesman said that Buie is "expected to be back for the start of practice in the fall." 

After years of being picked to finish in the basement of the Big Ten, there are actually pretty big expectations for Northwestern men's basketball in 2023-24. The 'Cats lost Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year Chase Audige and veteran forward Robbie Beran, but return key contributors in Buie, Ty Berry, Brooks Barnhizer, Matthew Nicholson and Nick Martinelli. 

Additionally, Northwestern added Princeton transfer Ryan Langborg, Liberty transfer Blake Preston and Denver transfer Justin Mullins. All three are expected to see significant playing time in 2023-24, and Langborg and Preston might even take on starting roles.

Buie's injury is likely nothing more than a minor speed bump during the summer, but it's something to keep an eye on in the coming months. If he faces any setback in recovery or is bothered by his hand in the coming season, it could result in a very disappointing year for Collins and the Wildcats. 

Nigel Glover Transferring to Ohio State

A myriad of Northwestern football players have entered the transfer portal since the dismissal of 17-year head coach Pat Fitzgerald. However, none was a bigger loss for the Wildcats than Nigel Glover, the team's highest-ranked commit in the class of 2023. 

On Tuesday, Glover committed to Ohio State, and whereas he was just one of two four-star commits in Northwestern's 2023 class, he becomes one of 18 four-star freshmen in the Buckeyes' incoming class, according to 247 Sports.

For more on the commitment of Glover, check out the full story on our sister site Buckeyes Now. 

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