Gophers starting center Robert Vaihola will have knee surgery on Friday and is expected to miss the rest of the season, the Pioneer Press learned Wednesday.

Vaihola aggravated his knee injury in the 66-54 win over Chicago State on Nov. 18 and has missed the last eight games. The 6-foot-8 transfer from San Jose State was averaging a team-high 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 points in 21.4 minutes per game.

Vaihola, a San Francisco native entering his senior season, appears to be a candidate to receive a medical redshirt waiver from the NCAA for next season, if the U applies for one.

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