Good News and Bad News on the Big East Injury Front

Freemantle’s absence lasted just three games. He returned in Friday’s loss to Georgetown. Freemantle had 16 points and seven rebounds in 31 minutes. He should be back on the court on Tuesday when Xavier welcomes St. John’s to town. Freemantle averages a career-high 16.8 points per game.

McNeeley To Miss Some Time

Defending Big East champion UConn has already played without Alex Karaban for two games earlier this season. Center Samson Johnson was hurt early in a win over Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden. He had to miss the next game as he worked his way out of concussion protocol.

It is expected to be a longer wait for star freshman Liam McNeeley to return to action. McNeeley suffered a high ankle sprain in a win at DePaul in UConn’s first game in 2025. Without McNeeley on the court, UConn had to overcome a 14-point deficit to beat visiting Providence on Sunday.

UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley told the media that McNeeley’s absence will be for “weeks and not days.” The hope is that he will return by late January. However, the recovery time for high-ankle sprains is very unpredictable.

McNeeley is second on the Huskies with an average of 13.6 points per game. It could be argued that he has made more big shots than any of the other UConn Huskies this season.

Hopkins Could be Close to Returning

Providence played without three players including leading scorer Bryce Hopkins in the loss to UConn. Following the loss, Providence coach Kim English said that Hopkins is starting to do more in practice. There is still some uncertainty when it comes to the Big East injury front as Hopkins continues to be sidelined.

Hopkins has been dealing with a knee injury that has limited him to three games this season. The last time he played was on Dec. 10 when he had 19 points and 10 rebounds in a win over DePaul. He is averaging 17 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest.

DePaul Without Its Top Rebounder

David Skogman has missed the last three games for DePaul. The highlight of his season came when he had 22 points and six rebounds in an overtime loss to Providence in the Big East opener for the Blue Demons. Skogman leads DePaul with an average of 6.5 rebounds per game. That is an issue for a DePaul team that struggles in the rebounding department.

Like some others on the Big East injury front, Skogman’s leg injury is not a long-term deal. He hasn’t played since having 11 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to Northwestern on Dec. 21.

Creighton Misses Injured Texas Tech Transfer

Creighton had a Big Three that was as productive as any in the Big East with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth teaming with Texas Tech transfer Pop Isaacs. However, the terrific trio is now a dynamic duo after Isaacs suffered a season-ending hip injury.

Isaacs saved his best for last with 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in a 76-63 win over top-ranked Kansas. In eight games at Creighton, he averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Creighton has already lost two Big East games. Time will tell if the Bluejays can live up to being picked to finish second in the Big East preseason poll.