MILWAUKEE — Marquette will enter the Big East Tournament opener Thursday night without guard Tyler Kolek, head coach Shaka Smart announced Wednesday.

Kolek is also questionable for the remainder of the tournament.

However, Smart said Kolek will be ready to play for Marquette’s NCAA tournament opener.

“He’s still day-to-day and not planning on playing tomorrow, but he’s close,” Smart said. “He practiced for part of our session today and he’s been working out and continues to get treatment. The plan is absolutely for him to play next week and he’s really made good progress.”

Kolek injured his oblique during a matchup with Providence on Feb. 28, leaving the game early in the second half and making a brief return before he left for good. The injury prompted him to miss the team’s final three regular-season games.

All-American candidate Kolek leads the nation in assists, with 7.6 per game. He also averages 15 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, shooting 48.6% from the floor in an average of 32.4 minutes per night.