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NCAA Basketball: Injury Report (Ed Morrow out indefinitely)

By Carmine Carcieri

Dec 28, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers bench reacts as they have a lead and eventually upset the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Nebraska defeats Indiana 87-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers bench reacts as they have a lead and eventually upset the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Nebraska defeats Indiana 87-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Phil Booth (5) works around Oklahoma Sooners defense during the first half in the 2016 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Phil Booth (5) works around Oklahoma Sooners defense during the first half in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship semi-final game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Phil Booth still not back in Villanova’s lineup

The Villanova Wildcats are set to play the St. John’s Red Storm at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon, but they are unlikely to have the services of veteran guard Phil Booth.

Related Story: Wildcats sweep through Power 5

The junior guard, who scored 20 points in the National Championship game against North Carolina, has missed the last 14 games with painful knee tendinitis. Despite having no timetable for his return, head coach Jay Wright told FanRag’s Jon Rothstein that it is too early to plan on not having Booth for the rest of the season.

From FanRag:

"“We’re still trying to get to the point where he is pain free,” Wright told FanRag Sports on Wednesday. “We know if it gets to a certain point that we’ll have to make that decision.” Booth would apply for a medical red shirt if he did not return this season."

This is a similar situation to what Duke dealt with last year with Amile Jefferson. The big man had the option of returning late in the season to help the Blue Devils during their March Madness run, or the option of returning to the team the following season to help a loaded 2016-17 roster.

Jefferson chose the latter and has molded into a potential All-American and the most important player on Coach K’s roster.

Booth obviously won’t be an All-American caliber player, but he would have two years remaining if he were granted a medical red shirt.

Then again, the Wildcats could use Booth late in the season. The Wildcats can win the Big East regular season title without the guard, however, once they reach the Big Dance, Wright’s squad could use more depth and another ball handler. On top of that, Booth has experience on the big stage and has proven that he can have a major impact against elite teams.

The junior is unlikely to be back anytime soon, so Wright and the Nova program have to weigh the pros and cons of potentially keeping him in the fold this year.

Will Booth be healthy enough to make an impact? How long is it going to take for him to get back to himself? Will he be on a minutes limit when he returns? These are all questions that must be answered.

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