It appears like St. John’s might get its speedy level guard again for its subsequent sport.
After a hard-fought 63-58 victory over Georgetown Tuesday evening, Rick Pitino mentioned he’s hopeful that Deivon Smith will return on Saturday in opposition to Seton Corridor in Newark.
Smith, the Johnnies’ engine, missed the win over the Hoyas with a bruised proper shoulder.
Georgetown due to a bruised proper shoulder. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Photos
He suffered the harm late within the first half in opposition to Villanova on Saturday.
Smith acquired a cortisone shot on Tuesday to alleviate the discomfort and can also be on anti-inflammatory drugs.
“I believe he’ll play in opposition to Seton Corridor. We knew he was one hundred pc out right here,” Pitino mentioned after the Johnnies gained for the tenth time in 11 video games. “He has a 60, 70 p.c likelihood of taking part in [on Saturday]. Seton Corridor goes to be a very powerful sport.
“There’s no tear, no dislocation,” the Corridor of Fame coach added. “He’s simply received a foul bruise.”
Sophomore wing Brady Dunlap will see a specialist in Toronto on Wednesday.
He’s coping with a torn belly muscle along with a damaged UCL in his left hand.
The hope is that Dunlap gained’t want surgical procedure for the abdomen muscle. That will finish his season.
The specialist labored with Jamal Mashburn years in the past with an identical harm.
“Both approach, I don’t assume Brady goes to play this yr,” Pitino mentioned. “I simply want to preserve him away from surgical procedure, as a result of it’s 3-4 months, that kind of surgical procedure.”
After making solely 11 3-point pictures in its first 5 league video games, St. John’s has hit 15 previously two. They had been 8-for-24 from distance on Tuesday.
Aaron Scott hit 4 of them on seven makes an attempt.
“I’m seeing us turning into the Golden State Warriors from the 3-point line,” Pitino mentioned jokingly. “I’m feeling it.”