Crucial March Madness Injuries to Consider for Your NCAA Bracket

Injuries are altering the men’s NCAA Tournament landscape as teams head into the first round. Filmogaz.com compiled the most important player health updates to help readers weigh March Madness injuries when setting their NCAA bracket.

Injuries to monitor

Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

Louisville announced Brown will miss the first tournament weekend. He is out for the first-round game against No. 11 South Florida with a lingering back issue. Brown missed the Cardinals’ final four games and eight earlier contests.

Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II, Duke

Both Duke starters sat out the ACC tournament. Ngongba is sidelined with a foot injury and is closer to returning. Foster had surgery for a fractured foot and is listed out indefinitely.

Jaylin Stewart and Silas Demary Jr., UConn

Stewart missed UConn’s final six games with a knee complaint. Coach Dan Hurley said his availability for the first round against Furman will be close. Silas Demary Jr. is recovering from a mild ankle sprain and is expected to play.

Braden Huff, Gonzaga

Huff underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in early January. He has started light court work but is not yet doing contact drills. A return during the tournament remains unlikely.

Nolan Winter, Wisconsin

Reports say Winter is likely to return for the NCAA Tournament. He nearly played in the Big Ten semifinals and says he will be ready. CBB Analytics shows Wisconsin’s defense improves by 12 points per 100 possessions when he is on the floor.

Christian Anderson and Lejuan Watts, Texas Tech

Both exited the Big 12 quarterfinal with injuries. Anderson suffered a groin issue after a slip on an LED court. He averages 18.9 points and 7.6 assists per game and is worth monitoring against No. 12 Akron.

Karter Knox, Arkansas

Knox has been sidelined since Jan. 31 with a meniscus injury and had surgery. Arkansas won the SEC tournament without him. His return likely depends on Arkansas advancing deeper into the tournament.

Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA

Dent dealt with calf discomfort and Bilodeau had a mild knee strain in the conference tournament. Both are reportedly cleared for the NCAA Tournament. A healthy Dent boosts UCLA’s late-season momentum.

Harry Wessels, Saint Mary’s

Wessels rolled an ankle before the WCC semifinals and played limited minutes. With time to recover, he should be available for the NCAA Tournament. Reserve Andrew McKeever logged a double-double in extended minutes with Wessels limited.

B.J. Edwards, SMU

Edwards missed late-season games with a foot problem. SMU initially said he would be available, but his status grew uncertain. Coach Andy Enfield expects him to contribute in the First Four matchup.

Also noted

Ethan Roberts of Penn and Tai’Reon Joseph of Prairie View A&M are injury cases to watch. Their teams will monitor progress heading into March.

Out for the season

JT Toppin, Texas Tech

Toppin tore his ACL on Feb. 17 in a loss at Arizona State. He averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Texas Tech finished 3-3 without him, with perimeter shooting fueling the wins.

Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

Wilson missed the final eight games with a broken thumb. He will not play in the tournament. UNC went 5-3 without him and lost interior scoring and rebounding.

Richie Saunders, BYU

Saunders tore his ACL on Feb. 14 and is out for the season. BYU has gone 5-5 since the injury. The Cougars have leaned more on AJ Dybantsa and Robert Wright III offensively.

L.J. Cason, Michigan

Cason suffered an ACL tear in late February and is sidelined. Michigan went 4-1 without him but saw smaller margins of victory. His absence reduces depth and explosive scoring off the bench.

Connor Essegian, Nebraska

Essegian has been out since November and will not return this season. Nebraska adjusted its rotation in his absence. His long-term absence is not expected to shift March plans dramatically.

Carter Welling, Clemson

Welling tore an ACL in the ACC tournament win over Wake Forest. He is done for the year. Clemson managed a notable victory without him but lost interior presence and defense.

Matthew Hodge, Villanova

Hodge suffered a torn ACL in the final days of February. He had started 29 games and ranked second on the team by Net Rating, per CBB Analytics. Villanova lost a key floor spacer and half-court scorer.

Divine Ugochukwu, Michigan State

Ugochukwu underwent foot surgery in early February and is out. He had started most late-season games and helped alongside Jeremy Fears Jr. Michigan State adjusted, but depth and perimeter shooting are reduced.

Other season-ending absences

Evan Ipsaro of Miami (Ohio) and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor of Hawaii are also out for the season. Their teams will proceed without those rotation pieces.

What this means for brackets

Several top teams are coping with key absences or doubts. Bracket decisions should account for March Madness injuries and projected rotations. Consider how missing starters affect defense, scoring, and depth.

Filmogaz.com will continue updating injury status through the first round. Check for late changes before finalizing any NCAA bracket picks.