Michigan loses LJ Cason for the rest of the season with a torn ACL

Michigan guard LJ Casson tore his right anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season, the school announced Saturday.

The injury occurred during the Wolverines’ win over Illinois on Friday night.

“This is not the way I wanted my season to end, but I trust in God’s plan, and I will attack my rehab the same way I approach everything – with focus and determination,” Cason said. “We have many goals as a team, and I will remain committed to supporting my brothers every step of the way.”

Cason, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, has emerged as one of college basketball’s premier backup guards this season, providing a steady boost off the bench for No. 3 Michigan. He averaged 8.4 points and 2.4 assists in 18.6 minutes, making more than 40% of his 3-point attempts. Cason had nine points and two assists in just 13 minutes against Illinois before suffering the injury.

He has scored in double figures in four of his last six games on Friday night, including an 18-point performance in the Wolverines’ win over Northwestern earlier this month.

“First and foremost, our hearts hurt for LJ,” coach Dusty May said. “You never want to see a young man who has spent so much in this program have something like this happen to him. However, if there is anyone equipped to handle this and the rehab process, it is LJ. He is resilient, disciplined and has an incredible support system around him.”

With Cason out, the point guard duties will fall almost solely to Elliot Cadeau. Cado has made big strides since transferring from North Carolina State last spring, but Casson’s consistent play has limited Cado. He has played more than 30 minutes just twice since January. The rookie guard is averaging 10.1 points and 5.5 assists, shooting a career-best 38.4% from 3.

Michigan, which clinched the Big Ten regular season title on Friday, wraps up the regular season with games against Iowa and Michigan State next week.