The Big East handed out their top awards on Wednesday morning before the 2024 conference tournament began, and Marquette men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart addressed the media. Senior center Oso Ighodaro was named the Big East’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, but the availability of senior guard Tyler Kolek also came up.

Kolek has been sidelined since leaving MU’s February 28th game due to an oblique muscle injury. Smart stated, “He’s still day-to-day. Not planning on him playing tomorrow. I mean, he’s close. He practiced for part of our session today. He’s been working out. Continuing to get treatment. I would say if you had to put a label on the rest of the Big East tournament, it’s probably questionable.”

Smart’s comments suggest that Kolek is unlikely to play on Thursday, regardless of Marquette’s opponent. However, there remains the possibility of his return on Friday if Marquette advances to the Big East semifinals, or on Saturday if they reach the conference tournament title game.