GREENSBORO, N.C. — When Kentucky point guard Sahvir Wheeler spoke to reporters on Thursday afternoon in the Wildcats' locker room, it sounded as though he thought he would be playing in the NCAA Tournament.
That wasn't the case on Friday, as coach John Calipari opted to hold the veteran dimer out, as he was only around "70-75 percent" healthy. It was the 10th game in a row that Wheeler has missed, due to an ankle injury, but more recently a "minor procedure" that was underwent on March 1.
"I'm gonna do whatever it takes for us to win, whether that's playing, whether that's being the biggest cheerleader, whether that's sharing my knowledge, what I'm seeing with my teammates, or whatever it takes for us to win," Wheeler said. "That's what i'm willing to do."
Kentucky took down the Friars 61-53 without the senior, and it'll likely have to try and do the same in the Round of 32 against Kansas State on Sunday afternoon. Wheeler got some shots up in the beginning of UK's warmups, but did not fully participate. Calipari did not give an official status update ahead of the game.
"He is trying his hardest, and he is doing great stuff, but, you know, I've got to really feel that he is going to be — maybe not 100 percent, but he can't be 80," Calipari said on Thursday. "Not in a game like this."
Both guards Cason Wallace (lower-leg) and CJ Fredrick (ribs) will again play against Kansas State, despite not being fully healthy. Wallace's stat line read seven points, five assists and four rebounds on Friday, while Fredrick had just one assist in seven minutes on the floor.
Wheeler would be a nullifying matchup for K-State's Markquis Nowell, a 5-foot-8 point guard that paces the purple Cats with 16.8 points and a team-high 7.8 assists-per-game.
More on Wheeler's road back HERE.
"It's been tough," Wheeler said about not playing. "I think the toughest thing is not being out there with my guys, you know? But also, it's been great recovering, doing the best I can, getting better each and every day, each and every rep, each and every practice, each and every workout."
Tipoff between Kentucky and Kansas State is set for 2:40 p.m. EST. The game will air on CBS.
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