Kentucky Basketball Could Be Without Two Key Players Against Tennessee

Kentucky guards D.J. Wagner and Justin Edwards missed the Wildcats’ 94-91 loss against Florida on Wednesday night and both could miss their second straight game as Tennessee travels to Rupp Arena on Saturday night.

Wagner missed Kentucky’s Friday practice and is doubtful for Saturday night’s top 10 tilt according to The Athletic’s Kyle Tucker. There hasn’t been any update on Edwards’s status since Wednesday night.

*Update: According to John Calipari on the UK Pregame Show Wagner is out, Edwards is available and freshman big man Zvonimir Ivisic is available in an emergency situation due to illness.

John Calipari on pregame radio confirms D.J. Wagner is OUT. Justin Edwards & Adou Thiero IN.

Big Z an emergency only option with an illness.

Adds he hopes to have Wagner back in a “few days.”

— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) February 4, 2024

Wagner is dealing with an ankle injury while Edwards is dealing with a knee injury. The 6-foot-4 freshman Wagner played 35 minutes in Kentucky’s win at Arkansas last week while the 6-foot-7 Edwards left the game in the first half with the injury.

More From RTI: Everything To Know About Tennessee’s Showdown Against Kentucky

Both Wagner and Edwards are five-star freshmen who are averaging over 20 minutes per game. Tennessee knows all about Edwards with the former top five recruit choosing the Wildcats over the Vols.

Edwards has mostly come off the bench for Kentucky this season and is averaging 7.7 points on 3.3 rebounds per game. At 6-foot-7, Edwards would be one of the main Wildcats guarding Tennessee star Dalton Knecht. If Edwards missing the game, Adou Thiero will be the main Kentucky player on Knecht.

Wagner has started nearly every game for Kentucky this season and enters the matchup averaging 12 points and 3.7 assists per game. The five-star freshman is shooting 43.5% from the field and 31% from three-point range.

Tipoff between Tennessee and Kentucky is at 8:30 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena on Saturday night. Tom Hart and Jimmy Dykes are on the call for ESPN.