March Madness: Jaime Jacquez Injury Update for UCLA's Sweet 16 Matchup vs. North Carolina
By Reed Wallach
Injury news is driving the betting narrative around the Sweet 16.
UCLA forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. suffered an ankle injury in the second half of the team's blowout win over St. Mary's on Saturday night, leading to questions of how the Bruins would perform without their standout player.
The Bruins are currently -2 at WynnBET Sportsbook with a total of 141.5 points, but will UCLA be at full strength ahead of their matchup against North Carolina in the East Regional Semifinals?
Here's what he had to say ahead of Friday night:
Check out our UCLA vs. UNC Game Preview!
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Injury Update
Jaquez told the media on Thursday afternoon that he is still day-to-day with a sprained right ankle, but may practice ahead of Friday night.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. said he's day to day and we would see if he practiced later today.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 24, 2022
Jaquez has not practiced yet this week as head coach Mick Cronin alluded to on Wednesday when he spoke to the media.
Mick Cronin said Jaime Jaquez Jr. didn’t practice today, remains day to day.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 22, 2022
Here was the Bruins forward, who is averaging 14 points and nearly 6 rebounds, walking to the team bus on Tuesday. Make of it what you want:
#UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez walking to the bus on campus, taking the team to the airport Tuesday, and off to the Sweet 16. pic.twitter.com/hPcMknYRkO
— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) March 22, 2022
For what it's worth, Cronin has been optimistic about having his starter in the lineup on Friday, as he noted after the team's 16-point win over St. Mary's:
Mick Cronin on Jaime Jaquez Jr: "If he can walk, he'll play (Friday)"
— Jon Christon (@JonChristonDB) March 20, 2022
This story will be updated
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