Marcus LoVett’s injury could keep the 6-foot scoring guard sidelined with the Holiday Festival game against local rival Iona on tap.
Chris Mullin tells me Marcus LoVett's status uncertain for Sunday against Iona. Has a sprained left knee that has kept him out of last three games. Did some basketball stuff yesterday. #sjubb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) December 14, 2017
LoVett’s status for Sunday’s game against Iona is uncertain right now.
Without him, the Red Storm have gone 2-1 - against a weak Sacred Heart team, a solid Grand Canyon squad on the road and against a now-top-ten Arizona State team that the Red Storm nearly rallied to defeat.
The box scores don’t show near-wins, of course.
Still, the team has been competitive with LoVett sidelined. Tariq Owens has earned starts and has enjoyed a larger offensive role. Bryan Trimble saw more than 20 minutes in two of the games. Kassoum Yakwe and Amar Alibegovic have remained part of the rotation on the team, which now has eight available scholarship players.
The effect of missing Marcus LoVett, a 40% shooter from beyond the arc and a low-turnover defensive pest, was evident. The ballhandling has been less sure, especially at the end of the game against Arizona State.
The Johnnies should be favored in their next two games, though both teams are talented enough to serve Chris Mullin’s team the L.
But when Providence comes to town to kick off Big East play, St. John’s will want LoVett on the floor; the Big East record will determine the team’s postseason fate.
Will Lovett play on Sunday? Or will he be held out until the Saint Joseph’s game, or later?