St. John’s basketball: Injury update as tip-off with No. 15 Villanova nears

Injuries are the lead story as the St. John’s basketball team hosts No. 15 Villanova. 

Tuesday night could be the season defining moment for the St. John’s basketball team and they will be without star sophomore point guard Posh Alexander.

Alexander twisted his ankle in the final minutes of Saturday’s victory over Butler and tried to return but clearly was not at his best and missed the final three minutes as he ice his injury on the sidelines.

St. John’s (13-9, 5-6 Big East) listed Alexander as a game-time decision for its matchup with No. 15 Villanova (17-6, 10-3 Big East) but the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year did not have the strength in the ankle to play on Tuesday night.

No decision has been made on Posh Alexander’s status for Sunday’s matchup with No. 24 UConn (15-6, 6-4 Big East).

ALSO READ: St. John’s vs. Villanova Injuries, Odds, Prediction

The team will still evaluate him on a day-by-day basis.

St. John’s is still without Rafael Pinzon, who remains out indefinitely as he has yet to clear health and safety protocols.

Alexander is averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game on 50.2-percent shooting from the field.

It is likely Dylan Addae-Wusu and Stef Smith will share Posh Alexander’s minutes in his absence.

St. John’s basketball opponent also dealing with injury issues

Ankle injuries are the theme entering Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night as Villanova is also closely watching its two stars.

Villanova senior point guard Collin Gillespie will play in Tuesday’s game after spraining his ankle on Saturday in the Wildcats’ victory over UConn.

Gillespie is the reigning Co-Big East Player of the Year and posting 17.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.7-percent from the floor, 43.0-percent from 3-point range, and 91.2-percent from the free throw line.

Shooting guard Justin Moore missed Villanova’s game on Saturday after spraining his ankle in a loss to Marquette on February 2 but will will play on Tuesday night against the Johnnies with 15.1 points per game on 41.5-percent shooting.

Villanova defeated St. John’s on January 29, 73-62.

Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. (FoxSports1) inside Madison Square Garden.