LSU’s O’Neal Will Miss SEC Tournament

Louisiana State center Shaquille O’Neal, the nation’s leading rebounder and Southeastern Conference player of the year, will be sidelined during the conference tournament this weekend because of a hairline fracture of his left leg, the school announced Monday night.

A news release said it wasn’t immediately known whether the 7-foot-1 sophomore might be available if LSU advances to the NCAA or National Invitation Tournament postseason tournaments.

LSU will open the SEC tournament Friday afternoon against Auburn.

O’Neal, who suffered the injury Feb. 27 at Florida, is averaging 14.6 rebounds, 27.7 points and five blocked shots. He was sidelined during the Tigers’ regular-season finale March 2 at Mississippi State.