To kick off their newest Huge East showdown, St. John’s followers have been rallying round Deivon Smith.
The senior guard made three consecutive three-pointers with the primary answering again a gap deep shot from the nation’s main scorer and St. John’s principal enemy Eric Dixon.
However, as fast as an excited jolt went by way of the rowdy 18,178 crowd at Madison Sq. Backyard, a way of fear unfold simply as extensive and quick when the star quick break maestro went down with practically two minutes left within the first half.
Smith collided with Villanova’s Wooga Poplar, hitting his proper shoulder, whereas going after a go, hoping to seize a steal. He was on the bottom within the aftermath, holding his shoulder in ache, earlier than strolling off the court docket to the locker room.
Following St. John’s 80-68 win, head coach Rick Pitino mentioned Smith’s shoulder “popped out and popped back in” however was not dislocated. X-rays got here again adverse and St. John’s doesn’t consider he’ll want an MRI examination.
“He won’t be out for a long time. Could miss Georgetown but I don’t think it will be after that. But he’s a pretty tough kid,” Pitino mentioned.
Previous to happening, the Loganville, Ga., native was St. John’s main scorer on the half with 12 factors, capturing 4-for-6 from the sector, together with 3-for-5 from deep throughout 17 minutes.
His absence was rapidly felt by his teammates.
“Yes, of course,” Simeon Wilcher mentioned after the sport. “Just knowing what kind of player he is and how much he means to the team. To have him hurting, it kinda hurt all of us. But, we knew we had to step up and it’s kinda like a next man up. … Of course, we felt it.”
Smith got here again within the second half just for three minutes whereas carrying a wrap round his shoulder and torso to safe it in place.
was pulled once more as he wasn’t keen to make use of his proper arm. Robert Sabo for NY Publish
In his first yr in Queens after transferring from Utah, Smith has averaged 10.7 factors on 43.8 p.c capturing and is capturing 38 p.c from deep.
“He wanted back in the game because he felt they had no subs,” Pitino mentioned. “When I saw he couldn’t shoot it, I just took him right back out. He’ll be okay. He’s a warrior.”
