The sprained MCL injury suffered by the freshman center came during a practice before the trip to the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Gonzaga assistant coach Brian Michaelson told Spokesman Review’s Theo Lawson last week that the freshman center is “week to week” with a sprained medial collateral ligament. He suffered the injury in a practice after the Long Beach State matchup and didn’t suit up for any of the three games in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
The medical staff is happy with the progression that the seven-footer has made and will have his next opportunity to be in uniform during the Battle 4 Seattle at the Climate Pledge Arena against Kentucky on Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM PT on ESPN2. In three appearances this season, Diagne is averaging 4.7 PPG on 83.3 FG%, 1.0 BPG, and 1.0 SPG in 6.3 MPG for the Zags.
Although Diagne might not see any minutes even if he were to be available against Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s stacked frontcourt (center Amari Williams, forward Andrew Carr, forward Ansley Almonor, forward Brandon Garrison), it’s comforting for Gonzaga coach Mark Few to know that he’s has the luxury to call upon the big man if need be.
The Wildcats currently rank #4 in the AP Poll, #12 in KenPom, and #8 in the NET. The Zags land at #7 in the AP Poll, #3 in KenPom, and #3 in the NET.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho