St. John's looks like it could get its speedy point guard back for the next game.
After Tuesday night's hard-fought 63-58 win over Georgetown, coach Rick Pitino said he expects Davon Smith to return for Newark's game against Seton Hall on Saturday.
Smith, the Johnny's driving force, missed the win against the Hoyas with a right shoulder contusion.
Returned to Georgetown due to right shoulder contusion. Wendell Cruz-Iman images
He suffered the injury late in the first half against Villanova on Saturday.
Smith received a cortisone injection on Tuesday to ease the discomfort and is also taking anti-inflammatory medication.
“I think he's going to play against Seton Hall. I knew he was going to give 100 percent here,” Pitino said after the Johnnies won for the 10th time in 11 games. “There's a 60, 70 percent chance he'll play.” [on Saturday]. Seton Hall is going to be a really tough game.
“No tears, no dislocations,” the Hall of Fame coach added. “He's just badly bruised.”
Sophomore wing Brady Dunlap is scheduled to be seen by a specialist in Toronto on Wednesday.
He suffered a torn abdominal muscle in addition to a fractured UCL in his left hand.
I hope Dunlap doesn't need abdominal surgery. That would end his season.
The specialist worked with Jamal Mashburn, who suffered a similar injury years ago.
“I don't think Brady will play this year anyway,” Pitino said. “I want to keep him out of surgery because that kind of surgery takes three to four months.”
St. John's only made 11 3-pointers in its first five league games, but has hit 15 in its last two games. On Tuesday, he went 8-for-24 from distance.
aaron scott I hit 4 of them in 7 attempts.
“I can see us becoming the Golden State Warriors from the 3-point line,” Pitino joked. “I feel it.”
