Villanova reveals severity of Justin Moore injury

Villanova guard Justin Moore suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the final minutes of Saturday’s Elite Eight win over Houston, according to a release from the school. He will undergo surgery this week and is now sidelined indefinitely.

Following Villanova’s win, teammates gathered around Justin Moore on the bench and included him in the celebration despite his apparent Achilles tendon injury. Head coach Jay Wright confirmed in his press conference that doctors believed it could be bad news but would only confirm that preliminary x-rays came back negative ahead of Sunday’s MRI.

With the result in, Moore will miss the Final Four. Villanova is scheduled to face Kansas on Saturday, with a chance to play in the national championship game on Monday with a win. Moore averaged 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds this season, making the All-Big East team and All-Big East Tournament team before helping lead the Wildcats on an NCAA Tournament run.

Villanova players console Justin Moore

After Villanova guard Justin Moore suffered an apparent Achilles injury late in the second half of a 50-44 victory against Houston in the Elite Eight, his teammates made sure he wasn’t left out of the celebration. A recent tweet showed several Wildcats players surrounding a crying Moore in the moments following the win, patting him on the shoulder and offering words of encouragement.

Moore suffered the injury as he tried to dribble towards the basket late in the second half. He collapsed to the ground in pain and turned it over after suffering an injury, and the replay shows a clear view of Moore’s right calf/Achilles appearing to pop as he plants his foot.

Moore played 37 minutes, the most of any Wildcats player, and finished with eight points in an otherwise low-scoring game. Villanova shot a less-than-ideal 28.8% from the floor, but did manage to go a perfect 15-for-15 from the free throw line in the win.