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UPDATE: 9:57 a.m.
Villanova's Collin Gillespie (thigh) "will try" and play today against Providence, per Jay Wright.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 29, 2020
Wright: "It's a matter of how effective he is."
Villanova Wildcats junior guard Collin Gillespie is potentially out of today’s matchup with the Providence Friars at noon at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
In an unexpected surprise, ‘Cats head coach Jay Wright announced the injury in a media availability yesterday.
Villanova coach Jay Wright said after today's practice that Collin Gillespie has a deep thigh bruise and is questionable for tomorrow's game against Providence at Wells Fargo Center. Gillespie is the team's No. 2 scorer and floor leader, would be a big loss if he couldn't play.
— Joe Juliano (@JoeJulesinq) February 28, 2020
Gillespie would be a huge loss to endure while facing the red-hot Friars, who have played their way into NCAA Tournament contention. He averages 15.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds a game for Villanova, and also leads the team in usage rate.
There’s probably no more important a body for Villanova right now, and with a top-four protected seed in the NCAA Tournament on the line in today’s game, it would be a huge loss if he isn’t able to play.
The Wildcats have opened as a seven-point favorite on their other home court right down the Blue Route from campus, but that would change if Gillespie is unable to go against a team with three straight Q1 wins in Big East play.
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