NCAA Basketball: 5 most significant injuries of the season

HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 11: Tacko Fall #24 of the UCF Knights looks on during the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the semifinal round of the AAC Basketball Tournament at the XL Center on March 11, 2017 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Cowan /

4. Justin Jackson, Maryland

After a freshman season that propelled him onto NBA mock drafts, Justin Jackson was expected to be the next Maryland Terrapins’ star to lead his team to the NCAA Tournament.

That changed on December 28, when the Terrapins shut the forward down for the season with a torn labrum. The injury is thought to have occurred before he even made it to College Park, but was aggravated this season.

The preseason All-Big Ten First Team selection was averaging 9.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game before the injury but was struggling from three-point distance. Jackson shot 25% from distance in 11 games, a marked drop from his freshman campaign, when he connected on 43.8% of triples.

If there’s an ironic saving grace for the Terrapins, it’s that the injury could force Jackson to remain in College Park for another season; his draft stock is falling from potential lottery selection to second-round afterthought.

Maryland has managed to withstand the injury and stay afloat in Big Ten play, earning a No. 10 seed in the latest bracketology. Every game will be a litmus test on whether or not the Terrapins deserve to go dancing, though.

The road would’ve been easier with Jackson pulling up from long range on the offensive end.

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