It’s been a rough college basketball season for several former Michigan players. Seven ex-Wolverines are currently injured, including at least four who are out for the season. The latest announcement, last week, concerned Laila Phelia. The former All-Big Ten guard transferred to Texas last spring after three seasons at Michigan. After surgery over the summer to repair a detached retina in her eye, she appeared in eight games earlier this season. She hasn’t played since Dec. 11, however, and will reportedly need another eye surgery. She will seek a medical redshirt for this season, according to her coach. Two of Phelia’s teammates at Michigan last season are also out for the rest of the year at their new schools. Minnesota’s Taylor Woodson suffered a season-ending knee injury on Dec. 11. A preseason ankle injury caused Chyra Evans to redshirt at Utah. Elise Stuck was starting at Ball State but hasn’t played since Jan. 11 due to an injury. Three other former Wolverines on the women’s side are healthy and starting: Taylor Williams at Northwestern, Cameron Williams at Miami, and Izabel Varejão, who’s in her second season at Syracuse. Injuries have taken a toll on former Michigan men’s players as well. TCU’s Frankie Collins broke his foot on Dec. 8 and is out for the season . USC’s Terrance Williams II hasn’t played since suffered a wrist injury on Dec. 4. He told MLive last month that he could return late this season , take a medical redshirt, or turn pro after the season. Youssef Khayat last suited up on Nov. 23 due to a lower leg injury. Others are healthy and experiencing varying degrees of success. Dug McDaniel has started and played heavy minutes since Dec. 30. He’s helped Kansas State win six straight, scoring a season-high 24 points in a win over Arizona on Tuesday and 20 in an upset over Iowa State. He’s shooting under 40 percent from the field and 26 percent from 3. McDaniel, Michigan’s starting point guard the previous two years, had 15 points and 11 assists in a win over Kansas and former Wolverine Hunter Dickinson last week. Dickinson’s 3-point percentage has taken a dip but he’s otherwise remained as productive as he’s been throughout his career. Tarris Reed Jr. is coming off the bench for two-time defending national champion Connecticut. Isaiah Barnes and Gregg Glenn III are starting for Tulsa and Tulane, respectively. Zeb Jackson is a key reserve for VCU while George Washington III hasn’t seen much playing time at Richmond.
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