Auburn's Chuma Okeke Ruled Out vs. UNC After Suffering Scary Knee Injury

The No. 5 Auburn Tigers were in a groove with a 14-point lead over No. 1 North Carolina when the Tigers' worst nightmare struck. 

Sophomore forward Chuma Okeke collapsed to the floor while driving toward the basket with 8:08 remaining in the game. Okeke's left knee contorted inward without contact, and play was halted. He remained on the floor with head coach Bruce Pearl and other members of the coaching staff surrounding him.

Eventually, Okeke stood up, and North Carolina players came over to hug him. He was helped off the court and into the locker room.

Okeke finished with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Shortly after Okeke left the court, Jamie Erdahl of CBS and Turner reported from the sideline that Okeke had been ruled out for the remainder of Friday night's game with a "severe left knee injury."

Pearl elaborated to reporters after the game, saying, "We don't know the status, but we think it could be serious." Okeke will get an MRI on Saturday, Pearl added.

The Tigers went on to defeat North Carolina 97-80, making the Tar Heels the first No. 1 seed to exit the tournament. The Tigers advanced to their second Elite Eight in program history and first since the 1985-86 season. 

None of that is at the forefront of the Tigers' minds, though, as Okeke's availability for the remainder of their NCAA tournament run is very much in doubt. 

Immediately after the game, Pearl choked up while discussing Okeke with Erdahl:

In the locker room, Okeke had ice on his knee and hobbled over to the team's bracket with the help of teammate Anfernee McLemore to officially stamp Auburn in the Elite Eight.

Auburn will next take the court on Sunday against No. 2 Kentucky.