As the 2025 NCAA Tournament kicks off, many teams are battling injuries and will be hoping their star players recover in time in their quest for glory.
Several teams are dealing with key absences as they prepare for battle. Here’s a look at the teams missing key players for the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.
Teams Missing Key Players in Round of 64
No. 1 Seed Duke Blue Devils
F Cooper Flagg: One of the most notable absentees is Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The Maine native has helped Duke rise to the No. 1 overall seed but suffered a devastating injury in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament against Georgia Tech.
Flagg subsequently missed his team’s semifinal and final matchups. However, reports suggest that Flagg might be able to return to action in time for the first-round game of the NCAA.
F Maliq Brown: Duke is also missing Maliq Brown who is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder. Brown was first injured in the same game as Flagg, but returned but re-injured his shoulder. He was unable to return to the game and had to go through tests before being taken to the hospital.
Duke will open March Madness play with a showdown against the winner of the 16 seed play-in game between American and Mount St. Mary’s.
No. 2 Seed Alabama Crimson Tide
F Grant Nelson: Alabama will most likely be without Grant Nelson for the first round as he continues to recover from his left leg injury. The severity of Nelson’s injury isn’t known yet, but Alabama will be hoping he returns in time given that they’re a much better team with him in the side.
No. 3 Seed Iowa State Cyclones
G Keshon Gilbert: Iowa State is also battling injury. The 6’4 Iowa State senior point guard is doubtful for their first game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament against No. 14 seed Lipscomb.
Gilbert has been nursing a groin injury for a couple of weeks and was ruled likely out of the season as a result. In his absence, Iowa State lost to BYU 96-92 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12.
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G Tamin Lipsey: Lipsey is also nursing a groin injury. However, his injury isn’t as serious as Gilbert’s. The 6’1 junior guard watched from the sidelines as his team lost to BYU in the Big 12 Tournament. There’s hope he could return in time for the First Round.
No. 3 Seed Kentucky Wildcats
G Jaxson Robinson: Kentucky guard Jaxson Robinson is out for the season with an injury to his right wrist. Although Robinson had an inconsistent first season with Kentucky, his ability to score important points will be missed as Kentucky heads into March Madness.
No. 5 Seed Memphis Tigers
G Tyrese Hunter: Hunter is battling a left foot injury and it is currently uncertain of when he will return. Memphis missed the NCAA Tournament in 2024, so they’ll be eager to make a mark in this year’s edition. They will hope Hunter will return in time to play his part.
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