Which UK basketball players were out against Tennessee? Here’s who missed the home defeat.
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Game day: No. 5 Tennessee 103, No. 10 Kentucky 92
Click below for more of the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com’s coverage of Saturday’s men’s basketball game between Kentucky and Tennessee at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
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For the 21st time this season, the Kentucky men’s basketball team wasn’t at full strength.
The Wildcats — who are still yet to play a game with all players available during the 2023-24 season — were without freshman guard D.J. Wagner and freshman center Zvonimir Ivisic for Saturday night’s home loss to No. 5 Tennessee.
Wagner, who is averaging 12 points and 3.7 assists per game this season, missed a second straight contest due to an ankle injury. Wagner also missed Wednesday’s home loss to Florida with an ankle injury.
Kentucky is now 0-3 this season without Wagner: In addition to the Florida loss, UK also suffered a shocking home loss to UNC Wilmington in early December with Wagner unable to play due to an ankle injury.
During a pregame interview on UK radio, Kentucky head coach John Calipari confirmed Wagner’s injury absence and also said Ivisic could have only played in an emergency situation due to illness.
Postgame, Calipari said he is expecting Wagner to play soon.
“Sooner (rather) than later,” Calipari said.
Kentucky next plays on Tuesday night at Vanderbilt.
Freshman Justin Edwards did play for UK in Saturday night’s defeat after missing the Florida game due to a quad injury.
Edwards had one of his most productive games against high-major opposition, totaling seven points and four rebounds in 18 minutes.
“I thought Justin did a good job today,” Calipari said postgame. “It’s great to have him back in there where he can go. He did some really good stuff.”
Kentucky continues to navigate roster uncertainty this season
Following Saturday night’s game, only three Wildcats (fifth-years Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell and freshman Reed Sheppard) have played in all 21 games for Kentucky this season.
How does UK continue to deal with having so many players bounce in and out of the lineup?
“I think it’s exciting that we have depth,” UK assistant coach Chuck Martin said earlier this week. “I think other teams around the country, they don’t have the depth that we have … When we get that full roster, it allows us to have different rotations, it maybe allows us to be more aggressive defensively. Knowing that if we have a guy get in foul trouble, we have the depth to sub a guy in.”
This story was originally published February 3, 2024 at 8:06 PM.
