Posted: Friday, February 17, 2012, 4:10 PM | 4 comments |
 

James Bell to miss Nova's next two games
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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
Posted by Joe Juliano @ 4:10 PM  Permalink | File Under: Men's Basketball | 4 comments
4
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:40 PM, 02/17/2012
    I guess the Cat's will have to rely on Jay's coaching.......
    — colonialowl
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:04 PM, 02/17/2012
    None of these injuries are a prob, as long as they are not serious.
    And it seems....none are.
    Just be ready for 1 final push this season---the Big East Tourny.

    Next year is the year...but....if all are healthy, they can compete with anyone.
    Will be looking forward to MSG.
    — Seurat
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:53 AM, 02/18/2012
    Need a star player.
    — franova
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:36 AM, 02/18/2012
    Jay has always relied on talent, not team basketball. At least on offense. And his recruiting the last few years has been woeful!
    — novj


4 comments
About Joe Juliano
Joe Juliano first visited the Palestra in 1970 after entering Temple University and became hooked for life on Big Five basketball. He'll always go with that name, figuring if the Big Ten can have 12 teams, why can't the Big Five have six?

Juliano joined the Inquirer in 1985 after 10 years at United Press International and has covered college sports for most of that time. His current beats are Villanova basketball, Penn State football, golf and the Penn Relays.

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