The 2023-24 Kentucky basketball season is facing another setback as the team remains understaffed for their upcoming match against Florida. Despite the return of freshman guard Rob Dillingham, who was absent during the team’s recent victory against Arkansas, head coach John Calipari will still be missing essential players for the Florida game.
Freshman starters Justin Edwards and D.J. Wagner will be sidelined, leaving the team short-handed once again. According to Calipari, he does not expect either Edwards or Wagner to be available for the game. This will be the first time this season that Kentucky will face the same opponent twice, and it comes at a time when the team is grappling with multiple injuries.
Calipari revealed that Wagner is dealing with an ankle injury, which also kept him out of a previous game against UNC Wilmington. On the other hand, Edwards sustained a leg injury during practice, preventing him from starting in the game against Arkansas.
In light of the absence of Edwards and Wagner, Calipari announced that freshman Reed Sheppard will start in place of Wagner, while sophomore Adou Thiero will take the place of Edwards. The recurring issue of the team’s incomplete roster is evident, as they have yet to play a single game with all players available this season.
Apart from the injuries, there will be another change in the Wildcats’ lineup as Calipari has decided that sophomore center Ugonna Onyenso will start instead of freshman Aaron Bradshaw. This decision marks Onyenso’s first start in his college basketball career.
Despite these setbacks, UK assistant coach Chuck Martin sees the situation in a positive light, emphasizing the depth of the team and the opportunities it presents. He believes that having a full roster will provide the team with different rotation options, enhancing their defensive capabilities and overall performance.
The challenges brought about by the fluctuating availability of players have been a test for Calipari and the coaching staff. The hope is that once the team is at full strength, they will be able to utilize their depth effectively and adapt more aggressively, especially on the defensive end.
As the Wildcats prepare to face Florida, the impact of these injuries remains to be seen, and the team will once again have to adjust to the absence of key players.