The St. John’s basketball team has been fairly healthy this season but was without its starting guard, Ian Jackson, for Saturday’s victory against Creighton.
Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino said on Friday afternoon that Jackson would not play but he was listed as questionable on the Big East’s availability report that was published three hours before tipoff.
Jackson was the first player on the court during pregame warmups, as usual, and showed no signs of an ankle sprain going through his typical routine. However, he never checked in to the 81-52 victory although he was available.
“We could have played him, but we have a pretty standard rule that if you don’t practice, you don’t play,” Pitino explained.
Jackson was in a walking boot since turning his ankle in the first half of the Red Storm’s win over the Golden Eagles on Wednesday night.
“Probably could have practiced yesterday but I always find that if you don’t practice, you come in and you always get hurt again,” he added.
St. John’s returned Oziyah Sellers to the starting lineup after a one game appearance off the bench and started Joson Sanon in Jackson’s place. It was the second consecutive start for Sanon, who was slotted into Sellers’ spot against Marquette.
Sellers finished with 10 points while Sanon chipped in seven.
Dylan Darling continued his role coming off the bench but started the second half in place of Sanon, scoring a team-high 17 points.
It was the first missed game of the season for Ian Jackson, who started 19-of-26 games this season, including 18 consecutive starts. He is averaging 10.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
“We’ll have him for Connecticut,” Pitino said. “He’s ready to go.”
Tipoff for the rematch between the Johnnies and Huskies is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET (Peacock) in Hartford.