Third-ranked Michigan picked up an impressive 84-70 win over No. 10 Illinois on Friday night, which should have put the Wolverines in a good mood. That all changed, though, on Saturday when they revealed some devastating news.
On Saturday, the team announced that sophomore guard L.J. Cason tore his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Friday night’s victory. It will sideline Cason for the rest of the 2025-26 college basketball season, including the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
CBB World Reacts to Michigan Losing LJ Cason
Jon Rothstein, who is a College Basketball Insider for CBS Sports, put Cason’s loss in context when it comes to Michigan and March Madness.
Rothstein posted on X, “Michigan has lost the best backup PG in college basketball just 15 days away from Selection Sunday. A cruel development for the Wolverines on the heels of the biggest month of the season.”
Michigan has lost the best backup PG in college basketball just 15 days away from Selection Sunday.
A cruel development for the Wolverines on the heels of the biggest month of the season. https://t.co/MBsxjqn3EV
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 28, 2026
Jeff Goodman, a basketball analyst and co-founder of The Field of 68, also commented on Cason’s loss and what it means to the Wolverines. Goodman posted on X, “Brutal news for the Wolverines. Cason was a huge part of this team, and arguably the best backup PG in the country.”
Brutal news for the Wolverines.
Cason was a huge part of this team, and arguably the best backup PG in the country. https://t.co/orK8L9ImN0
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 28, 2026
Matt Norlander, a senior writer, analyst, and podcast host for CBS Sports, also had some thoughts about what Cason’s loss ultimately means for Michigan head coach Dusty May and his Wolverines.
Norlander posted on X, “News: Michigan sophomore reserve guard L.J. Cason is done for the year after tearing his right ACL in Friday night’s win at Illinois. Wolverines were nine-deep, so they are built to withstand this to a certain degree, but that’s a notable ding. Cason a 40% 3-point shooter.”
Scott Bell, who writes about Michigan athletics in a newsletter, posted on X after hearing about the news regarding Cason: “LJ Cason playing like an absolute star. Hope he’s ok.”
Michigan’s athletics department released a press release regarding Cason on Saturday. He’s going to have to go through a serious rehabilitation period after his ACL surgery. While it’s not clear at this time, Cason should be good to go for next season.
At least that’s what May and Cason’s Wolverines teammates hope will happen in the long run.
