Michigan loses key player to season-ending injury weeks before NCAA Tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines have been one of the most dominant teams in college basketball this season, and they showed it once again on Friday night, defeating the No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini on the road, 84–70.
Michigan has leveraged its depth all season, often rolling nine players deep in every game. That strategy, however, will be tested after head coach Dusty May announced on Saturday that guard L.J. Cason tore his ACL against Illinois and will miss the remainder of the season, just weeks before the NCAA Tournament begins.
“First and foremost, our hearts hurt for L.J.,” May said in a press release. “You never want to see a young man who has poured so much into this program have something like this happen. However, if there’s anyone equipped to handle this and the rehab process, it’s L.J. He’s resilient, he’s disciplined, and he has an incredible support system around him.”
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LJ Cason will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL during U-M's victory at Illinois.
Release | https://t.co/rhHw5oM9QW
We’ve got you, LJ. Always.#GoBluepic.twitter.com/s6OQo5MVzN
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) February 28, 2026
Cason has been a key piece off the bench, recording nine points and two assists on 3-of-5 shooting in 13 minutes Friday night. He has scored in double figures 11 times this season, with his most notable performance coming against Northwestern on Feb. 11, when he tallied 18 points. Earlier this week against Minnesota, he put up 14 points and five rebounds in just 19 minutes.
His efficiency in a limited role has been crucial to the Wolverines’ success. He is averaging 8.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.3% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc.
Cason also released a statement, making it clear that he is committed to attacking his rehab and staying fully engaged in supporting his teammates’ pursuit of a national championship.
“This isn’t how I wanted my season to end, but I trust God’s plan, and I’ll attack rehab the same way I approach everything — with focus and determination,” Cason said. “We’ve got many goals as a team, and I’ll be locked in supporting my brothers every step of the way.”