UCLA will be without Tyler Bilodeau, its best shooter and leading scorer, for Saturday’s Big Ten tournament semifinal game against Purdue.
But the mild knee sprain Bilodeau suffered Friday night isn’t expected to linger into next week’s NCAA tournament, according to a team spokesperson.
Bilodeau, who averaged 17.6 points on 51.8% shooting from the field, left Friday’s win over Michigan State late in the first half after banging his knee under the basket. He lay on the court in pain for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room.
UCLA didn’t flinch without him, holding on to beat Michigan State in one of its most impressive shooting performances of the season. The Bruins shot 56% from the field and knocked down 13 three-pointers.
Whether that hot shooting can continue Saturday without one of its best shooters in the lineup could determine if UCLA can advance to Sunday’s tournament final.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.