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Daniel Ochefu injury update: Villanova Wildcats center listed as 'doubtful', program says

'Nova has updated the status of their star center, and things are looking bleak.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, we noted that per a report from Terry Toohey of the Delaware County Times that Villanova Wildcats big man Daniel Ochefu's status for Saturday's matchup vs. the Providence Friars was uncertain.

On Friday morning, the Villanova men's basketball program updated his status. And things are not looking good.

The Villanova men's basketball program Twitter account issued out a tweet on Friday morning saying that Ochefu, averaging 9.7 points, 8.3 rebound and 1.9 blocks per game, is listed as 'doubtful' for the highly anticipated matchup against the Friars at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Friartown Saturday afternoon.

Ochefu will be traveling with the team per CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein so there is still an outside chance that the BIG EAST's leader in DRtg could see the floor. But all indications appear to be that the Wildcats will be without their best rim protector for the third straight game.

Thus, the pressure will again be ramped up on junior forwards Darryl Reynolds and Kris Jenkins to play well down low and provide a big presence for inside scoring for the 'Cats. Jenkins has shown his versatility in recent weeks, posting solid numbers from the perimeter and will likely be called upon again like he was on Wednesday night against Creighton.

And, as that matchup indicates, the Upper Marlboro, Maryland native is more than capable as he scored 22 points in the Wildcats' romp of the Bluejays at The Pavilion. Reynolds, meanwhile, has been nothing short of solid whilst seeing the floor and has been an excellent rebounder on both ends. Through conference, the Philly native Reynolds has picked up OR% and DR% of 11.3 and 20.7 percent, seventh and 11th best amongst his peers in conference play.