Pittsburgh junior guard Ashton Gibbs suffered an MCL injury in his left knee and will be out 10-14 days, which includes key road games this week at West Virginia on Monday and at Villanova on Saturday, a Panthers official confirmed Sunday afternoon.
Gibbs is coming off his best game of the season, scoring 25 points and making all five 3s in a 71-59 win over Cincinnati on Saturday. Gibbs was evaluated late Saturday night.
Pitt spokesperson Greg Hotchkiss said "wear and tear" on Gibbs' knee caused the injury. Gibbs will wear a brace that will allow the injury to heal and avoid surgery or further injury to the knee.
Travon Woodall will assume Gibbs' minutes in his absence. Woodall is averaging 20.4 minutes, 6.7 points and 3.6 assists as a reserve. He will join the perimeter of Brad Wanamaker and Gilbert Brown in a starting role.
Gibbs is averaging 16.3 points, 3.1 assists and is shooting 46.3 percent on 3s and 89.7 on free throws. The Big East-leading Panthers (9-1, 21-2 overall) hold a two-game lead over Notre Dame, Villanova and Louisville in the loss column. But Pitt is heading into its most difficult portion of its schedule with three of the next four on the road at West Virginia, Villanova and at St. John's after a home game against South Florida.
If the 10 to 14-day projection is correct, Gibbs could return for the home game against West Virginia on Feb. 24. No. 4 Pitt finishes with road games at Louisville and South Florida before hosting Villanova.