James Bell to miss Nova's next two games
Villanova guard James Bell will miss his team's next two games because of a sprained left ankle.
The injury news keeps getting worse for Villanova's men's basketball team.
The Wildcats announced Friday that sophomore guard James Bell will miss the team's next two games – Saturday night against No. 23 Notre Dame and Monday night versus Connecticut, both at the Wells Fargo Center – because of a sprained left ankle.
The 6-foot-5 Bell suffered the injury Wednesday night in the second half of Villanova's 65-51 loss at South Florida. He scored two points in 17 minutes.
The loss of Bell likely means Villanova will be without two starters for Saturday night's game against the Fighting Irish. Guard Maalik Wayns, the team's top scorer with a 17.8-point average, is listed as doubtful.
Wayns suffered a sprained left knee in the second half of the Wildcats' game Feb. 7 against Providence and did not play against South Florida.
For the season, Bell is averaging 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds. He has started 18 of Villanova's 25 games.
To replace Bell in the lineup, Villanova coach Jay Wright will have to go to a freshman, probably either Darrun Hilliard or Achraf Yacoubou.
--Joe Juliano