James Keefe will be out two to three weeks

UCLA forward James Keefe is expected to be out two to three weeks while recovering from a dislocated left shoulder, the team announced Wednesday.

Keefe was hurt on a play under the basket during the first half of Tuesday night’s game against New Mexico State, hopping off the floor with his arm held at a careful angle.

The same shoulder required surgery for a torn labrum two years ago.

Keefe’s absence will be especially painful for a UCLA team that has to deal with a two-time All-American forward, Luke Harangody, at Notre Dame on Saturday.

The 6-foot-8, 246-pound Harangody is averaging 24.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.

“He’s a beast,” UCLA guard Michael Roll said. “It’s going to be a team defense.”

That means double-teams, help-side defense and players scrambling to box out.

UCLA Coach Ben Howland plans to throw a bench-full of players at Harangody, including Nikola Dragovic, Reeves Nelson, J’mison Morgan and perhaps Brendan Lane.

“Obviously losing James is really, really a tough deal for us,” Howland said.

Lots of potential

Look for Tyler Honeycutt to continue playing significant minutes after a career night against New Mexico State.

The freshman, who missed the summer and early season because of injuries, had 14 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes.

“Playing more minutes helps me shake off my rust and get into the flow of the game,” he said.

Howland said Honeycutt still tends to get impatient and commit rookie mistakes but has shown potential.

“You can see the talent he has,” the coach said. “His ability to rebound, his ability to finish around the basket.”

david.wharton@latimes.com

twitter.com/LATimesWharton