The absence of RJ Luis was barely noticeable for the St. John’s basketball team in its victory over DePaul on Wednesday night.
The Johnnies cruised to a 24-point victory with its Big East Player of the Year candidate on the bench with a pulled groin, but his availability is much more important for the No. 10 Red Storm against UConn on Sunday afternoon (12:00 p.m. ET, FOX).
Luis did not practice on Friday when St. John’s was able to get into Madison Square Garden, but the hope was that he would take the floor on Saturday afternoon in a final preparation for the Huskies.
If Luis could get through practice, there is a high chance he is on the court for St. John’s and it’s trending in that direction.
“I wouldn’t be pessimistic or optimistic because he hasn’t done a single thing,” Rick Pitino said on Friday. “If he’s 100-percent we’re playing him, if he’s not we’re not playing him.”
Luis is averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season on 44.5-percent shooting while hitting the game clinching shot two weeks ago against UConn in Storrs.
“It’s RJ’s decision,” Pitino added on who will make the final call on Luis’ playing status.
“He’s doing whatever he’s capable of doing just to get back as soon as possible,” Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s captain and Luis’ roommate said.
“I’m really optimistic,” he added on if he thought Luis would play. “He’s a competitor and we all know exactly what he brings to the table. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he’s playing.”
Kadary Richmond, who didn’t practice on Friday due to a groin injury, will play against UConn in addition to Vince Iwuchukwu who missed St. John’s win over DePaul with a concussion.
Freshman guard Jaiden Glover has been ruled out for the season after suffering torn tendons in his wrist, an injury that he tried to play through earlier in the season.