25 College Basketball Injuries Bettors Need to Know on Saturday

This Saturday is no different than most at this time of the year, as we have countless impactful injuries worth noting.

For today, I wanted to touch on 25 teams that could be impacted. Yes, 25!

Kansas at Baylor (-2)

MaCio Teague has missed the past few games for Baylor with a wrist injury and is a game-time decision today. The junior guard averages 14.4 points (second on the team) and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Tulane at UCF (-7.5)

Despite not having do-everything senior guard Dazon Ingram in its last game, UCF still managed to pull off a major upset in double overtime at Cincinnati. Ingram missed that contest with an illness and did practice late this week, so I think he plays. He averages 8.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

It's also worth noting that UCF backup guard Dre Fuller was recently lost for the year to injury.

Tennessee at Auburn (-6.5)

All eyes in warmups will be on the status of Auburn's freshman phenom Isaac Okoro, who's missed the past few games with a hamstring injury. The Tigers are just a much better team when the potential lottery pick is in the lineup. Okoro is averaging 13.1 points and just under five rebounds per game.

He did practice late in the week, so I'd guess he gives it a shot.

Houston at Memphis (+2.5)

Houston may be shorthanded at FedEx Forum today as sophomore guard Quentin Grimes is doubtful with a hip pointer. The Kansas transfer  is the team's second-leading scorer and much more important to the Cougars than the raw stats indicate.

With a week off after this game before a date with Cincinnati next Saturday, I'd imagine he sits this one out.

Arkansas at Missouri (-6.5)

Arkansas has been reeling of late but it could get the services of Isaiah Joe back today as the sophomore sharpshooter could return to action after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month.  The Hogs' second-leading scorer averages 16 points per game and did return to practice late this week.

Missouri has also dealt with injuries for most of the season and the Tigers will be without guard Mark Smith (10.9 ppg) today, while forward Jeremiah Tilmon (8.5 ppg) could suit up.

Michigan at Purdue (-3)

Michigan is fresh off a huge road win at Rutgers. As everyone knows by now, it's been very difficult to win on the road in the Big Ten this season but Michigan's victory was even more impressive when you consider Rutgers had been unbeaten at the RAC and the Wolverines got the win without Isaiah Livers.

Michigan has looked lost for long stretches this season without Livers, who wore a boot on the bench at Rutgers as he nursed his bum ankle. The junior forward leads Michigan is scoring and his shooting really opens up the offense for Juwan Howard's bunch. He's a game-time decision but my guess is he sits.

Georgetown at DePaul (-2)

Once again, the Hoyas could be without both guard Mac McClung and big man Omer Yurtseven. Those are the two leading scorers on a roster that was decimated earlier this season. Third-leading scorer James Akinjo transferred mid-season back in 2019.

Without both, head coach Patrick Ewing basically has a six-man rotation. That's caused a strain with a number of guys having to play almost the entire 40 minutes. That should catch up with the Hoyas down the stretch.

McClung tried to come back last game but left with an injury while Yurtseven sat out again. Based on the quotes I've read, it doesn't sound great for McClung, but both are officially questionable.

Florida at Kentucky (-4.5)

The surging 'Cats won their fifth straight at LSU on Tuesday but saw two of their best players go down with non-serious injuries. Nick Richards (14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) hurt his ankle while Ashton Hagans (12.0 ppg, 6.6 apg) injured his thigh.

Word on the Lexington streets is Richards will give it a go but Hagans may not.

Clemson at Boston College (+4)

A few guard injuries to keep your eye on for Boston College today as it hosts Clemson in Chestnut Hill. Leading scorer Derryck Thornton (13.1 ppg) is questionable with a back injury as is Jared Hamilton (8.0 ppg) with a hip injury.

Reserve Chris Herren (1.9 ppg) is also questionable with an illness.

Brown at Cornell (N/A)

Forward Jimmy Boeheim, who leads Cornell in both scoring (17.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) will sit out once again today against Brown. That could spell trouble for the Big Red, who lost last night in double overtime against Yale. Not only do they have to recover mentally from such a heartbreaking loss, they'll have to do so physically as well.

With Boeheim sidelined last night, everyone else had to pick up the slack. Cornell guards Bryan Knapp and Terrance McBride played 49 and  45 minutes, respectively. They could be gassed tonight.

Others worth noting

• Texas (+4.5 at Kansas State) continues to deal with a plethora of injuries. Leading rebounder Jericho Sims is out, while leading-scorer Matt Coleman is questionable and guard Jase Febres is doubtful.
• Missouri State (+1 vs. Loyola Chicago) should get big man Tulio da Silva (9.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) back today after he missed last game with the flu. However, that's not confirmed, so it's worth monitoring the status of the former USF Bull.
• Belmont (-8.5 at EKU) center Nick Muszynski (15.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) is listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
• It appears that Stony Brook (-12.5 vs. Maine) will once again be without star guard Elijah Olaniyi, who leads the team in points (18.9) and assists. The junior, who's missed the past two games, is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.
• Guard Prince Ali (7.1 ppg) is listed as questionable (back) for UCLA (+10.5 at Colorado)
• After a three game absence, senior guard Dylan Frye (13.9 ppg) has returned to Bowling Green (-5 vs. Ohio) after taking some time off for personal reasons.
• Penn (at Harvard) looks as if it will have to make due without guard Ryan Betley (12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg). The senior has missed the past four games with an ankle injury.
• Keep your eyes on the status of St. Joe's guard Ryan Daly, who leads the Hawks in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He's listed as questionable with a foot injury.
• Cleveland State (+9 vs. Wright State) guard Craig Beaudion (10.4 ppg and leads team in assists) is out for the year with a knee injury and backup guard Franklyn Penn (5.5 ppg) is listed as questionable.
• Fordham (+1.5 vs. UMass) may be without leading rebounder Onyi Eyisi today. He's listed as questionable.
• Do-it-all guard Jose Perez (15.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.3 apg) remains out for personal reasons for Gardner Webb (-4.5 vs. Campbell)
• Miami Ohio (+12.5 at Akron) could be shorthanded again today as their top two scorers and rebounders in Nate Sibande (illness) and Dalonte Brown (lower body) are listed as questionable.
• Later on tonight, Montana State (+4 vs. Montana) could be without star guard Harold Frey, who leads the Bobcats in points (16.7) and assists (4.8).
• Oregon (+4.5 at Arizona) could see the return of freshman big man N'Faly Dante. He's officially listed as questionable and hasn't seen action since Jan. 18. His size would certainly help against the Wildcats.