Davidson’s Jack Gibbs out two to four weeks after injuring shoulder in practice

Davidson’s Jack Gibbs missed the team’s Red-Black scrimmage last Saturday after injuring his shoulder in practice. He’s expected to be out two to four weeks but could be ready for the Wildcats’ Nov. 12 opener against Appalachian State.

This might not be noteworthy, if the injured shoulder wasn’t attached to Gibbs (23.4 points per game). The nation’s seventh leading scorer’s importance was driven home last week as he made the Bob Cousy Award preseason watch list and was named to the preseason A-10 All-Conference First Team.

Not only is he set up for a great season, his high volume shooting is more than just a novelty. The Wildcats project to be in the thick of the NCAA bubble discussion. The A-10 coaches/media pegged Davidson as the fourth best team in the league, and KenPom has them at #74 in its preseason ratings.

Davidson’s high-powered offense would get worse, obviously, without Gibbs’ point production. But any missed time would especially suck the life out of a team that relies on the attention paid to Gibbs to free up good three-point shooters like Peyton Aldridge, Jordan Watkins and Will Magarity.

With resumes in mind, the Wildcats play Clemson Nov. 17. A setback for Gibbs would not only put a possible statement win in jeopardy, but also deprive the average college basketball fan of a marquee matchup between Gibbs and Jaron Blossomgame.

That may be getting too far ahead of things, since McKillop has downplayed the severity the injury. But a player of his stature is in street clothes is worth monitoring closely, especially with the season a few weeks away.