Six thoughts on LJ Cason’s injury and what it means for Michigan

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Michigan’s Big Ten Championship celebrations were cut short on Saturday with the news that sophomore guard LJ Cason would miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury.

The Wolverines had largely dodged the injury bug throughout the season, but it finally caught up to them with Cason’s injury, which will have a season-altering impact as Michigan turns its sights on the postseason.

Here are some rapid reactions to the news and what the injury means for Michigan this year and in the future.

1. Brutal timing for a sophomore turning the corner

There’s no good time for an ACL tear, but LJ Cason was making the sophomore leap right before our eyes. He was averaging 11.8 points and 2.8 assists per game over the last eight, shooting an impressive 61% on twos and 54% on threes.

He looked poised to potentially be a breakout star in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, his season is over on a weekend that was supposed to be a celebration.

Cason’s role off the bench provided two things on a regular basis: the ability to get a bucket on his own in the lane, and knock down 3-pointers at a high rate. He shot 67% at the rim and an even more impressive 65% at the rim in on-ball situations. He’s also a 40% 3-point shooter who was up to 45% on 25 makes in Big Ten games.

Cason’s confidence was growing game by game. He was making a two-way impact, and he brought an infectious dose of positivity to the floor that changed something about Michigan when he was on the court. This roster won’t be the same without him in the postseason for that energy alone.

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