MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An ordinary scrimmage for Minnesota last week took a discouraging turn as Eric Curry’s right knee jerked, popped and buckled when the lanky junior tried to make a move on defense.

Though he walked off the court without pain, the instability in the joint instantly told him a ligament was torn. That’s the kind of physiological wisdom nobody wants, of course, because it comes from experience.

Curry tore his left ACL two years ago. He is again facing the prospect of reconstructive surgery, arduous rehabilitation and a full season of sitting out. Yet still, as the Gophers gathered at Williams Arena on Friday for photos and interviews, Curry was as upbeat as anyone on the court.

“As you can see, I’m in good spirits,” he said. “I just know I’m going to overcome this and be back on the court in no time.”

The 6-foot-9 Curry redshirted the 2017-18 season, then had a setback a year ago that required a second operation and kept him out of the first two months of the 2018-19 season. After returning to the court for his first live action in 654 days, Curry played in 15 games for the NCAA Tournament-bound Gophers before hurting his right foot and missing out on the fun in March.

“I can’t be down here moping around or whatever, so I just try to keep those spirits up. I make everybody laugh still,” Curry said. “I’m around here smiling all the time like I normally do, because I think positive. I think ahead. I know I’m going to be back. I know I’m going to be back better than ever. So I just try to keep that energy, try to keep that hope alive.”