Ashton Hagans’ absence is unwanted Kentucky basketball drama
A Saturday morning from the Sunshine State.
Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari tweeted that point guard Ashton Hagans did not make the team’s trip to play the Florida Gators. Calipari said that Hagans asked to step away from the team for a few days for personal reasons.
Hagans followed that with a tweet of his own.
Not exactly what this team needs on the final game of the regular season with the SEC Tournament next week in Nashville and Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament just eight days away.
Hagans was a hot topic of conversation this week after he exchanged words with Calipari on the bench and teammate Nick Richards on the floor duing UK’s 81-73 loss to visiting Tennessee on Tuesday night. The Cats blew a 17-point second-half lead in the regular season home finale at Rupp Arena.
Then word circulated Saturday morning that Hagans was not seen with the Wildcats in the team hotel. He was also not seen among the players coming out for early warm-ups at the O’Connell Center. Calipari’s tweet followed soon after.
For Kentucky basketball fans, the hope is that this will be a momentary absence. Hagans has been up-and-down of late. He made just six of 23 shots over his last two games and has had problem with turnovers.
UK plays Florida at 1 p.m. on CBS.
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 12:19 PM.
