The Kansas University men’s basketball team’s 92-59 victory on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse might have been the most painful loss Nebraska has had in some time.

It was painful on the scoreboard, sure, but the hurtin’ Huskers are now scrambling to nurse an even bigger wound.

A first-half injury to Nebraska point guard Jake Muhleisen kept him out the rest of the game — and, in all likelihood, some future contests as well.

“He’s got a back injury as well as a groin injury,” Nebraska coach Barry Collier said. “He’s in pretty bad shape.”

Muhleisen, who came to Lawrence averaging 12.5 points per game, suffered the setback while driving toward the basket eight minutes into the first half. Kansas forward Nick Collison tried to draw a charge, causing the two to tumble to the Allen Fieldhouse floor.

Collison was called for a blocking foul. The basket was good, but Muhleisen’s day came to an agonizing end.

“His back is out of alignment,” Collier said. “I think he landed flat on his back.”

Collier refused to speculate on how long Muhleisen would be sidelined, but the injury forced Nebraska to move Nate Johnson over to the point, an unnatural position for him and an unnatural scheme for the Huskers.

Johnson, a native of Kansas City, Kan., finished with 12 points and four assists, but committed eight turnovers.

“We have to play a little differently with Nate at the point,” Collier said. “His strengths and weaknesses aren’t the same as Jake’s.”

Muhleisen’s injury darkened an already gloomy day for Nebraska. Kansas (11-3 overall, 2-0 Big 12 Conference) heated up soon after Muhleisen left and pulled away.

The Huskers return home to play Texas A&M on Wednesday, likely a significantly lesser challenge than No. 14 Kansas.

But …

“It doesn’t get much worse than it is here at Kansas,” forward John Turek said. “It’s one of the toughest places to play.”