Chance McMillian injury update: Texas Tech makes final decison for Elite 8 game vs. Florida

Chance McMillian is available for Saturday’s Elite 8 game against Florida, a Texas Tech spokesperson told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. He is dealing with an upper body injury and was previously considered a game-time decision.

McMillian didn’t play in Texas Tech’s Sweet Sixteen victory over Arkansas, leading to questions about his status for Saturday’s Elite Eight matchup. On Friday, coach Grant McCasland said McMillian would be a game-time decision as the Red Raiders look to lock up a spot in the Final Four.

Now, it appears he’ll be ready to go if needed for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders tip off their matchup against Florida at 6:09 p.m. ET.

Texas Tech's Chance McMillian (upper body) is available for tonight's Elite Eight game against Florida, per a school spokesman. https://t.co/YdY4o1RZeD

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 29, 2025

McMillian hasn’t played since March 13 due to his injury, and he notably missed Texas Tech’s Sweet Sixteen game against Arkansas on Thursday. McCasland said the goal was to have the Red Raiders’ third-leading scorer, who’s averaging 14.2 points per game on 52.5% shooting, but said prior to tip-off he was unable to go in the matchup.

“I anticipated him being available. I didn’t know how much,” McCasland said. “Then we got to the arena, and we had had him planned to dress out and be ready. You don’t know in these games. Like what it was tonight, you may be somewhat limited but I thought there was a chance he could play, like legit. We were planning on dressing him out.

“He got to the arena, and he just came to me and said he couldn’t do it. So the truth is, he shot around today and moved really well and looked good. And then maybe just what happened in shoot around set him back a little bit.”

Ultimately, McCasland said, it would be up to Chance McMillian for Saturday against Florida. It’s part of the trust McCasland built with his team, and that’s why his star guard didn’t suit up on Thursday.

“I trust him with everything because he’s [one of the players] to me that has the greatest belief on our team that we’re going to win,” McCasland said. “He’ll do anything it takes to win, but it felt like he wasn’t quite confident enough that he could help the team. So he decided not to dress.”

Saturday’s game in the Elite Eight against Florida is set for 6:09 p.m. ET and will air live on TBS and truTV. The winner will advance to San Antonio for the Final Four next weekend at the Alamodome.