Sweet 16's most important injuries (and replacements) that could shape March Madness
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Sweet 16's most important injuries (and replacements) that could shape March Madness
Matthew Glenesk and Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
6 min read
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The2026 Men's NCAA Tournamentis down to 16 teams and the injury report remains an important part of sifting through the remaining games in the bracket. Nearly one-third of the teams to qualify for the Sweet 16 are dealing with a significant player hobbled by injury, includingNo. 1 overall seed Duke.
Several played through the pain to advance through the round of 32, while others are attempting to return from injury as fast as possible with the win-or-go-home element ofMarch Madnesslooming over their recovery. In most cases, their potential replacement has already been thrust into a bigger role after lingering uncertainty throughthe first weekend of this year's tournament.
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Here's a look at the injuries that could most affectthe Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as well as the potential replacements to watch if these injured stars can't play when March Madness resumes:
How sweet it is. Sixteen teams remain in theMarch Madness 2026tournament. Here are some top players and matchups to watch. No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 PurdueTexas: Matas Vokietaitis
(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)
No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2Purdue Purdue: Braden Smith
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK)
No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 NebraskaIowa: Bennett Stirtz
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 NebraskaNebraska: Pryce Sandfort
(BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN via USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 ArizonaArkansas: Darius Acuff Jr.
(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 ArizonaArizona: Brayden Burries
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 HoustonIllinois: Keaton Wagler
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 HoustonHouston: Emanuel Sharp
(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)
No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 DukeSt. John's: Zuby Ejiofor
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 DukeDuke: Cameron Boozer
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 MichiganAlabama: Labaron Philon Jr.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 MichiganMichigan: Yaxel Lendeborg
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)
No. 3 Michgan State vs. No. 2 UConnMichigan State: Jeremy Fears Jr. (1)
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)
No. 3 Michgan State vs. No. 2 UConnUConn: Alex Karaban
No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa StateIowa State: Milan Momcilovic
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
How sweet it is. Sixteen teams remain in theMarch Madness 2026tournament. Here are some top players and matchups to watch. No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 PurdueTexas: Matas Vokietaitis
(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)
1/16
Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
How sweet it is. Sixteen teams remain in theMarch Madness 2026tournament. Here are some top players and matchups to watch. No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 PurdueTexas: Matas Vokietaitis
(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)
2/16
Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2Purdue Purdue: Braden Smith
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK)
3/16
Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 NebraskaIowa: Bennett Stirtz
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 NebraskaNebraska: Pryce Sandfort
(BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN via USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 ArizonaArkansas: Darius Acuff Jr.
(Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 ArizonaArizona: Brayden Burries
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
7/16
Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 HoustonIllinois: Keaton Wagler
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 HoustonHouston: Emanuel Sharp
(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 DukeSt. John's: Zuby Ejiofor
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
10/16
Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 DukeDuke: Cameron Boozer
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 MichiganAlabama: Labaron Philon Jr.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 MichiganMichigan: Yaxel Lendeborg
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)
13/16
Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 3 Michgan State vs. No. 2 UConnMichigan State: Jeremy Fears Jr. (1)
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
No. 3 Michgan State vs. No. 2 UConnUConn: Alex Karaban
(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)
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Men's Sweet 16 players to watch during March Madness
The injury status of Iowa State star Joshua Jeffersonlooms large over the Midwest regional in Chicago, beginning with the Sweet 16 nightcap between the second-seeded Cyclones and No. 6 seedTennesseeon Friday, March 27. The 6-foot-9 NBA prospect suffered a sprained left ankle early inIowa State's first-round win over No. 15 seed Tennessee State on March 20 and did not play in its round of 32 victory over No. 7 seedKentuckytwo days later.
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Sixth man Nate Heise started in place of Jefferson, who is averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game this season for the Cyclones. Heise, a 6-foot-5 guard, responded with 12 points and three assists, but Iowa State got just five points from its bench as a result.Jefferson told reportershe plans to "do everything [in] my power to get healthy" ahead of Friday's Sweet 16 game.
"Nate has been essentially our sixth starter all year, even when he hasn't started on the court," Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said. "I say it over and over again; Nate Heise is someone who's a fierce competitor, defensively has tremendous pride, getting stops, team defense, getting traffic rebounds, making plays. You can feel that compete every possession. Offensively he steps up and does what's needed for our team. ... Nate is somebody for me that I just have tremendous belief and confidence in, and I know what he can do, and I know what he'll continue to do."
Purduesophomore C.J. Cox suffered an apparent knee injury early in the second half of the No. 2 seeded Boilermakers' win over No. 7 seed Miami in the round of 32 and did not return.Coach Matt Painter told reporters after the gamethat Cox had "hyperextended" his knee and would see how it responded to treatment this week.
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Cox called it "nothing serious" and said he could have re-entered the game if needed. The 6-3 guard had three 3-pointers that helped Purdue erase a first-half deficit against Miami before leaving the game due to injury. He has started every game for the Boilermakers this season, while averaging 8.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
If Cox can't play, or is limited, when Purdue faces No. 11 seedTexasThursday, March 26 in the Sweet 16, Gicarri Harris is likely to take on a bigger role. He replaced Cox against the Hurricanes and buried his only 3-pointer within three minutes of entering the game. Harris also had two steals as the primary defender on Miami guardTre Donaldsondown the stretch.
UConn's point guardwas initially listed as questionable by the Huskies in their NCAA player availability report before coming off the bench in theNo. 2 seed's round of 32 win over No. 7 seed UCLA. Though he had just two points, Demary finished with four assists and two steals after missing the Huskies' first-round win over No. 15 seed Furman. He initially suffered an ankle injury in the second half ofUConn's Big East Tournament final loss to St. John's on March 14.
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Graduate transfer Malachi Smith, who came to UConn from Dayton ahead of this season having never played in an NCAA Tournament game before, has produced 13 assists starting in place of Demary the past two games. Smith's minutes have increased substantially with Demary hobbled, setting new season highs for playing time at UConn in its two March Madness games thus far.
Coach Dan Hurley told reporters after Smith's first-round performance that the team thought Smith had also hurt his knee in a practice collision before leaving for the NCAA Tournament. "He was banged up out there playing 31 minutes. The guy's a warrior and showed that New York toughness today."
2026: Michigan Wolverines
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
2025: Florida Gators
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
2024: Connecticut Huskies
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2023: Connecticut Huskies
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Kansas Jayhawks
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2021: Baylor Bears
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar)
2019: Virginia Cavaliers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2018: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2017: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2016: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2015: Duke Blue Devils
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2014: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2013: Louisville Cardinals (title later vacated)
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2012: Kentucky Wildcats
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2011: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2010: Duke Blue Devils
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2009: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
2008: Kansas Jayhawks
(Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports)
2007: Florida Gators
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2006: Florida Gators
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
2005: North Carolina Tar Heels
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2004: Connecticut Huskies
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2003: Syracuse Orangemen
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
2002: Maryland Terrapins
(MICHAEL A. SCHWARZ, USA TODAY Sports)
2001: Duke Blue Devils
(JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY Sports)
2000: Michigan State Spartans
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
1999: Connecticut Huskies
(EILEEN BLASS, USA TODAY Sports)
1998: Kentucky Wildcats
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
1997: Arizona Wildcats
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY Sports)
1996: Kentucky Wildcats
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
1995: UCLA Bruins
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)
1994: Arkansas Razorbacks
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
1993: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
1992: Duke Blue Devils
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
1991: Duke Blue Devils
(Getty Images)
1990: UNLV Runnin' Rebels
(Ken Levine, Getty Images)
1989: Michigan Wolverines
(Getty Images)
1988: Kansas Jayhawks
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
1987: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1986: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
1985: Villanova Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1984: Georgetown Hoyas
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1983: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Getty Images)
1982: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1981: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1980: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
1979: Michigan State Spartans
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1978: Kentucky Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
1977: Marquette
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1976: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1975: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1974: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1973: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1972: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1971: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1970: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
1969: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1968: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1967: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1966: Texas Western Miners
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1965: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1964: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1963: Loyola Ramblers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
1961: Cincinnati Bearcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
1960: Ohio State Buckeyes
(Bill Foley, Columbus Dispatch)
1/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2026: Michigan Wolverines
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
1/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2026: Michigan Wolverines
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
2/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2025: Florida Gators
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
3/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2024: Connecticut Huskies
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
4/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2023: Connecticut Huskies
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
5/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2022: Kansas Jayhawks
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
6/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2021: Baylor Bears
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar)
7/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2019: Virginia Cavaliers
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
8/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2018: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
9/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2017: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
10/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2016: Villanova Wildcats
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
11/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2015: Duke Blue Devils
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
12/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2014: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
13/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2013: Louisville Cardinals (title later vacated)
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
14/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2012: Kentucky Wildcats
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
15/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2011: Connecticut Huskies
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
16/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2010: Duke Blue Devils
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
17/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2009: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
18/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2008: Kansas Jayhawks
(Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports)
19/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2007: Florida Gators
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
20/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2006: Florida Gators
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
21/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2005: North Carolina Tar Heels
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
22/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2004: Connecticut Huskies
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
23/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2003: Syracuse Orangemen
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
24/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2002: Maryland Terrapins
(MICHAEL A. SCHWARZ, USA TODAY Sports)
25/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2001: Duke Blue Devils
(JACK GRUBER, USA TODAY Sports)
26/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
2000: Michigan State Spartans
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
27/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1999: Connecticut Huskies
(EILEEN BLASS, USA TODAY Sports)
28/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1998: Kentucky Wildcats
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
29/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1997: Arizona Wildcats
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY Sports)
30/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1996: Kentucky Wildcats
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
31/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1995: UCLA Bruins
(RVR Photos, USA TODAY Sports)
32/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1994: Arkansas Razorbacks
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
33/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1993: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
34/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1992: Duke Blue Devils
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
35/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1991: Duke Blue Devils
(Getty Images)
36/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1990: UNLV Runnin' Rebels
(Ken Levine, Getty Images)
37/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1989: Michigan Wolverines
(Getty Images)
38/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1988: Kansas Jayhawks
(ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY Sports)
39/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1987: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
40/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1986: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
41/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1985: Villanova Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
42/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1984: Georgetown Hoyas
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
43/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1983: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Getty Images)
44/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1982: North Carolina Tar Heels
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
45/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1981: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
46/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1980: Louisville Cardinals
(The Courier-Journal)
47/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1979: Michigan State Spartans
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
48/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1978: Kentucky Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
49/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1977: Marquette
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
50/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1976: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
51/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1975: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
52/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1974: North Carolina State Wolfpack
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
53/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1973: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
54/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1972: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
55/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1971: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
56/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1970: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
57/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1969: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
58/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1968: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
59/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1967: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
60/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1966: Texas Western Miners
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
61/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1965: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
62/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1964: UCLA Bruins
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
63/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1963: Loyola Ramblers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
64/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
1961: Cincinnati Bearcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
65/65
March Madness: Men's college basketball national champions since 1960
Duke starting point guard Caleb Foster hasn't played for the Blue Devils since suffering a broken foot in the team's regular-season finale againstNorth CarolinaMarch 6. But coach Jon Scheyer left the door open for him to return in time for No. 1 seed Duke's Sweet 16 matchup againstNo. 5 seed St. John'son Friday, March 27.
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"Not to reference 'Dumb and Dumber,' but when he first got hurt, I felt like maybe it was one in a million,"Scheyer told CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein on Monday. "Since then, the way Caleb has worked, the chances have continued to increase. I think there's an outside chance, maybe for Friday.
"He's trying to do the impossible here and try to come back as soon as he can," Scheyer added. "This weekend, I don't think I can rule it out because of who he is and how he's been working."
Cayden Boozer has moved into the starting lineup for Foster and performed well during the ACC Tournament and the first two games of Duke's NCAA Tournament run. He had a career-high 19 points and five assists when the Blue Devils came back in the second half to beat No. 16 seed Siena in the first round.
Ament, a potential NBA lottery pick, is playing through ankle and knee injuries that forced him to miss two games at the end of Tennessee's regular-season schedule. He was used for just 18 minutes in the Vols' opening round NCAA win over Miami (Ohio) and then gutted through a 16-point, 4-rebound performance againstVirginiain the round of 32. He's shooting 5-for-27 from the field over the past three games.
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"For me, I wanted to do it for my teammates and this university. I owe them so much," Ament said after the game. "The least I could do is fight through this."
Jaylen Carey started six consecutive games when Ament didn't play to close the regular season, but the Vols have altered their lineups since then. J.P. Estrella was moved back into a starting role beginning with the SEC Tournament, with Amari Evans shifted to the bench along with Carey. Tennessee Coach Rick Barnes can turn to the 6-foot-5 Evans for more versatility or the 6-foot-8 Carey for more size inside if Ament can't go or significantly limited by injury.
