Updated March 19, 2026, 4:59 p.m. ET
- UCF senior ahead Jamichael Stillwell is enjoying via two torn ligaments in his proper ankle.
- Despite a number of gamers coping with accidents, UCF is anticipated to be close to full well being for the NCAA Tournament.
- UCLA additionally faces injury considerations with its main scorer and place to begin guard.
PHILADELPHIA — Jamichael Stillwell earned the nickname “Mr. Stand on Business” throughout his junior school days at Miami-Dade. UCF‘s 6-foot-8, 245-pound senior ahead says the phrase is a lifestyle that goes properly past basketball.
“That’s the way I live, for real — standing on business, getting it done, just being a man of my word,” Stillwell stated. “Doing everything with a passion. Living life to the fullest. Thanking God as the Most High.”
An integral a part of the Knights’ March Madness return, Stillwell has been getting it achieved the previous month with two torn ligaments in his proper ankle, he instructed The News-Journal previous to the workforce’s March 20 opening-round NCAA Tournament game towards UCLA (23-11).
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Stillwell, who walked to the workforce bus for Wednesday’s sendoff sporting a boot round his decrease leg, practiced absolutely at Xfinity Mobile Arena and is anticipated to start out. He has posted eight double-doubles and ranks third within the Big 12 in offensive rebounding (3.2 per game).
“Just battling day by day,” Stillwell stated. “Trying to not really take off reps in practice, getting treatment and just really resting it.”
Injuries hampered the Knights (21-11) at varied factors via their 9-9 run via Big 12 play, however the workforce seems to be in full well being — or as shut as it may be after a 32-game grind — coming into the NCAA Tournament.
Sophomore John Bol stated he’s “ready to go,” although he didn’t make clear what occurred throughout UCF’s Big 12 quarterfinal towards Arizona. The 7-foot-2 heart clutched his chest and wanted assist to the locker room throughout the second half.
Senior guard Riley Kugel, who banged his knee on the scorer’s desk towards Cincinnati, and Jeremy Foumena, who missed UCF’s closing two regular-season video games, have been additionally noticed as full members throughout the open apply.
Kugel, an Orlando native, leads the Knights in scoring at 14.4 factors per game whereas capturing a career-high 39.2% from 3-point vary.
UCLA enters the primary event weekend with lingering injury questions, as properly. Leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau suffered a knee sprain within the Bruins’ victory over Michigan State within the Big Ten Tournament, and level guard Donovan Dent, No. 3 within the nation in assists per game, injured his calf the following night time towards Purdue.
