Basketball fans flooded social media Friday night to send well wishes to Vermont star TJ Long, who suffered a potentially serious non-contact injury late in the Catamounts’ loss to Duke.
With No. 4 Duke holding a commanding 62-47 lead over No. 13 Vermont with 1:18 remaining, Long got behind the Blue Devils’ defense, took a long pass and started to lay up a shot. But he suddenly stopped, hopped around a few times and crumpled face down on the floor, in obvious pain.
“Oh boy, TJ Long,” play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle said solemnly.
Vermont guard TJ Long suffered a leg injury with just over a minute to go vs Duke. pic.twitter.com/mO8uDRrn6v
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 23, 2024
Vermont head coach John Becker shared some potentially good news immediately after the game. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, “the initial hope is that TJ Long didn’t suffer a catastrophic injury to his knee.” He left the locker room on crutches and will undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury.
Some potentially hopeful news: Vermont coach John Becker tells me that the initial hope is that TJ Long didn’t suffer a catastrophic injury to his knee. But he’ll still need imaging to confirm. Long left the locker room on crutches.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 23, 2024
But the moment had all the pathos of a Greek tragedy. Long, who came in averaging 12.2 points per game, had hit only one of his eight shots in the game. Vermont was headed for a loss. And then, Long went down. CBS Sports’ John Fanta reported “The Barclays Center is in complete silence. TJ Long was on a breakaway and is down writhing in pain.”
The Barclays Center is in complete silence. TJ Long was on a breakaway and is down writhing in pain.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 23, 2024
The college basketball world immediately reacted on X/Twitter to share their sympathies and thoughts. The Duke Blue Devils account tweeted, “Prayers for TJ Long.”
Prayers for TJ Long 🙏🏼
— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) March 23, 2024
Just looked awful. I hate injuries in general but ones like those are so hard to watch. https://t.co/wZpSYzG2Af
— Colton Steiner™ 🎙️ (@s_colton) March 23, 2024
PRAYERS FOR TJ LONG @eddiewoodly
— Strictly Business Co. (@the_lazy_archer) March 23, 2024
The TJ Long injury is such a gut punch.
Long Island native coming home to play in Brooklyn. #MarchMadness2024 #Vermont #Duke pic.twitter.com/03wIJsZ2c4
— Joe Gelsomino (@JoeGelsomino) March 23, 2024
Freak play.
Prayers for TJ Long 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/vtMvYPsHOn
— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) March 23, 2024
[Matt Norlander on Twitter/X]
