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Kentucky likely will be without TyTy Washington, 3 others vs. Kansas

ByPatrick Schmidt|
Kentucky Wildcats TyTy Washington Jr. (3) is helped off the court with an injury as Auburn Tigers men's basketball takes on Kentucky Wildcats at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Kentucky Wildcats lead Auburn Tigers 33-29 at halftime.Syndication The Montgomery Advertiser
Kentucky Wildcats TyTy Washington Jr. (3) is helped off the court with an injury as Auburn Tigers men's basketball takes on Kentucky Wildcats at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Kentucky Wildcats lead Auburn Tigers 33-29 at halftime.Syndication The Montgomery Advertiser

If Kentucky basketball is going to beat Kansas on Saturday, the Wildcats will have to do so without some of their best players, including TyTy Washington.

Kentucky is going to be short-handed on Saturday when John Calipari’s Wildcats take on Bill Self’s No. 5 Kansas Jayhawks from Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

TyTy Washington was injured in last weekend’s loss to Auburn and it doesn’t sound like things are progressing well enough for him to suit up for the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Washington may not be the only Kentucky basketball player to miss the game with Kansas.

In addition to Washington missing practice on Thursday, Daimion Collins and Jacob Tobbin also didn’t take part in practice, suggesting they will be doubtful for Saturday.

Kentucky basketball likely without TyTy Washington, 3 others vs. Kansas

Orlando Antigua is also expected to miss the game after a close contact of his taste positive for COVID. He was not on the bench vs. Mississippi State and didn’t practice on Thursday either.

When Calipari was asked about the status of Washington, he seemed resigned to the fact he won’t have him and the bench will be depleted.

“No. He didn’t practice yesterday, Calipari said when asked about Washington’s health. Daimion [Collins] didn’t practice yesterday. Jacob [Toppin] didn’t practice yesterday. Orlando [Antigua] wasn’t at practice yesterday. Down to two and the rent was due.”

Calipari doesn’t want to rush Washington’s return for a late-January game and risk a setback that could cost him additional time in February and perhaps into March.

“If TyTy is not 100 percent, this isn’t a game you play a guy at 80 percent; it’s just not. Same with Jacob.”

There is always a chance Washington and the others wake up on Saturday feeling much better and are able to suit up and test themselves but don’t expect any of the banged-up Cats to play vs. Kansas.

Kentucky and Kansas tip at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday with the game televised on ESPN.

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