Desi Rodriguez expects to play on Senior Night as banged-up Seton Hall makes postseason push

By ADAM ZAGORIA

NEWARK — Desi Rodriguez was forced to watch Seton Hall’s thrilling 69-68 overtime loss to No. 4 Villanova at Prudential Center while sitting on the bench and wearing a black sweatsuit.

But with only a handful of games remaining in his college career, Rodriguez told ZAGSBLOG he expects to be back on the court for Senior Night on Saturday against Butler.

“Yeah, hopefully Saturday I know I’m going to give it a try,” said Rodriguez, who has been sitting out with an ankle injury since turning it on a slippery floor at Providence last Wednesday and is averaging a team-best 18.1 points to go with 5.0 rebounds.

“I know I’m getting better every day, so I’m just happy about that. I’m moving in the right direction with my injury. I sprained my tendon in my ankle so that’s kind of what I use to jump off. It’s still sore, it still hurts, but it’s getting better.”

Pirates coach Kevin Willard officially listed Rodriguez as doubtful for Saturday, and also said Ish Sanogo, who twisted his ankle in the loss, and Jordan Walker, who re-injured his thumb during practice this week, won’t play Saturday. Myles Cale, who left the Villanova game in the second half with cramps, is expected to be OK. Willard said he expects Sanogo back for the Big East opener.