Eli Brooks injured vs. Michigan State, returns to bench in walking boot

The Michigan Wolverines won a Big Ten championship on Thursday night against Michigan State. There was not a ton to play for on Sunday in the rematch with the Spartans, but Michigan was dealt a loss before the clocks ever hit zero in East Lansing.

Senior guard Eli Brooks, who has been one of the best defenders in the Big Ten and a started over the past two seasons, injured his left ankle on Sunday. He was helped off the court without putting any pressure on it and then walked gingerly back to the Michigan locker room. He would return to the bench in a walking boot.

This is obviously a massive development for the Wolverines heading into the postseason. The Big Ten Tournament starts on Friday and the NCAA Tournament kicks off in 12 days. Should his ankle injury be similar to what Charles Matthews, who missed 19 days, suffered a few seasons ago it would put him in line to return around the Sweet Sixteen.

We will have more as the story develops, but this is a huge bummer to cap off the regular season.