The Wisconsin Badgers have lost just twice since early December with injuries a primary reason for one of those defeats. Leading scorer Frank Kaminsky was in street clothes for the team’s loss to Rutgers, recovering from a concussion. Teammate Traevon Jackson suffered a fractured foot in the game and has not played since, undergoing surgery to repair the break. The team’s offense has remained fluid without Jackson and the Badgers have a legitimate title shot. Their first opponents, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, enter the matchup healthy and eager to prove they belong.
Arizona has avoided major injuries to their key contributors throughout the season and remains Wisconsin’s biggest threat. Junior Brandon Ashley has bounced back nicely from a wrist injury that prematurely ended his 2014 campaign.
Likewise, Baylor enters the tournament on an upswing physically. The top seven players in the Bears’ rotation have been intact for a majority of the season with a minor foot injury for point guard Kenny Chery the only setback. Chery is clearly past the injury having played at least 30 minutes of action in 10 straight games.
North Carolina hasn’t been quite as lucky losing two players to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Senior reserves Desmond Hubert and Sasha Seymore both saw their collegiate careers end following ACL tears. Joel Berry II (groin) and Theo Pinson (foot) also missed time with injuries though the starting unit remains relatively healthy. Leading scorer Marcus Paige continues to be bothered by reoccurring plantar fasciitis though he isn’t expected to miss time.
The Razorbacks have little current health concerns and dodged a major setback when Michael Qualls’ knee injury ended up being just a mild sprain. Qualls never missed a game and was one of eight players to see action in all 34 games.
The Hogs will face off against the Wofford Terriers that have also avoided the injury bug in recent weeks. Sophomore Eric Garcia has been able to play major minutes despite having his jaw wired shut after suffering a fractured jaw in a loss to West Virginia.
Last season Xavier’s Matt Stainbrook was limited late in the season by a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain. This year is a different story as Stainbrook and the rest of the Musketeers enter the tournament with a clean bill of health.
VCU has been resilient in the face of injury this year. Top scorer Treveon Graham has been bothered by a balky ankle all season and the team lost guard Briante Weber to a devastating knee injury that included a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Weber, a pesky defender, has remained with the team and been a presence in huddles and off the court. Teammate Doug Brooks has also dealt with a knee sprain though his was much less significant that Weber’s injury. While Weber’s absence will hurt, the Rams will continue to be a tough out.
The focus at Oregon has been predominantly on football but the Ducks basketball team put together an impressive 25-9 record. The team has succeeded thanks largely in part to good health though Dwayne Benjamin did suffer a minor ankle sprain early in the season.
The Ducks will face an equally healthy Oklahoma State squad who has played well despite losing Marcus Smart and Markel Brown to the NBA. Michael Cobbins has returned from his torn Achilles injury and is the team’s top rebounder.
Both of Ohio State’s top scorers, D’Angelo Russell and Sam Thompson, have played all 33 games for the Buckeyes but minor injuries to role players have been a problem. Senior Anthony Lee continues to be bothered by a nagging groin strain that has sidelined him for nine straight outings. He is questionable for the opening round.
The Ole Miss Rebels are still alive after outlasting BYU. Jarvis Summers’ early season back injury is clearly a thing of the past as the 6’3” senior finished with a double-double in the win.
Harvard is home to the number one research medical school so it’s no surprise the team has been predominately healthy. Kenyatta Smith continued to be bothered by foot and leg problems that have defined his career but all other ailments for Harvard players were minor.
Georgia State will look to upend Baylor with a player that has become synonymous with injury. Former Louisville player Kevin Ware, who infamously suffered a gruesome leg fracture during the 2013 NCAA tournament, is now a key contributor for the Panthers. Ware helped fill in for teammate Ryan Harrow who has been bothered by a hamstring strain for the team’s last several contests.
Texas Southern endured a tumultuous season that included a season-ending knee injury for Jose Rodriguez and early season issues for SWAC Player of the Year Madarious Gibbs. Junior forward Malcolm Riley suffered a scary head injury following a flagrant foul against Southern. He is expected to play against Arizona.