GREENSBORO, N.C. — Though it appeared Kentucky would enter its NCAA Tournament Round of 64 matchup against Providence full healthy, that is not the case.
Point guard Sahvir Wheeler remains OUT for the 10th game in a row due to an ankle injury and now a "minor procedure" that he underwent on March 1. Kentucky guards Cason Wallace and CJ Fredrick are both active.
Wheeler previously told reporters on Thursday that he "believed" he would play.
"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," he said. "That's what i'm willing to do."
UK head coach John Calipari — who announced on his pregame radio show that Wheeler would be out — had this to say about the PG on Thursday:
"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. "Not in a game like this."
In the lead-up to Kentucky's home game against Arkansas on Feb. 7, it was announced that Wheeler would be out due to an ankle injury that was suffered in practice. Coach John Calipari said that it was limiting him in practice, and the decision was made to keep him out.
There was no initial timetable given for how long he would sit. Wheeler scored eight points and had three assists, two rebounds and two steals in his last game against Florida on Feb. 4. Friday's game versus Providence will make 41 days since that outing against the Gators.
Wildcats Today will have coverage as Kentucky looks to snap its March skid.
East Region preview HERE.
WATCH: Calipari, Fredrick, Ware react to draw
More on Bryce Hopkins HERE.
More on the bracket reveal and Kentucky's draw HERE.
Kentucky needs to get healthy, fast. More HERE.
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