St. John's played the entire second half during Wednesday night's loss to Xavier without starting center Yankuba Sima. The Red Storm will continue to be without him in the middle, as Sima is reportedly out for up to six weeks.
The school announced on Friday evening that the 6-foot-11 shot blocker has a broken bone in his left hand. Sima injured his left hand in the first half against the Musketeers and was shown on the FS1 broadcast icing his hand on the bench during the second half.
In 16 games this season, Sima is averaging 8.4 points and 6.8 boards. His 3.1 blocks per game ranks seventh in the entire nation.
The timing of Sima's injury is less than ideal, as the Johnnies' first game without the rim protector will come against one of the best frontline lines in the league in Marquette's big men tandem of Henry Ellenson and Luke Fischer.
Marquette hosts St. John's on Saturday at 2 p.m. EST.
(h/t New York Post)
