As the Kentucky Wildcats prepare for a high-stakes showdown against North Carolina at Rupp Arena, head coach Mark Pope offered a sobering injury update: sophomore transfers Mo Dioubate and Jaland Lowe are not expected to play. Coming off back-to-back losses to power conference opponents, the Wildcats could certainly use their reinforcements.
Pope opened with a light-hearted comment, but quickly delivered the reality fans have been bracing for. “There is an update, but I’m not going to tell you — because we’re keeping it top secret until the game. They’re coming along. They’re doing the best they can. I’m not sure they’re going to be available tomorrow, but we can’t wait until they get back,” Pope said.
Dioubate, who transferred from Alabama, suffered an ankle injury late in Kentucky’s loss to Michigan State. He sat out the following games against Loyola (MD) and Tennessee Tech. Although he practiced ahead of the Greyhounds game on November 21, he has not played since. “It was a pretty nasty sprain,” Pope said. “But I do know he’s tough as nails, so I expect him to be back sooner than most mortals would be able to get back.”
Lowe, a Pittsburgh transfer and anticipated starting point guard, reinjured his right shoulder during practice on November 13 after originally dislocating it during the Blue-White Game on October 17. He missed the exhibition games and season opener, returned briefly against Valparaiso and Louisville, and has been sidelined for four games since. Pope confirmed Lowe was participating in non-contact practice sessions as of November 24, but he has not yet returned to full five-on-five action.
Both players’ absences are significant for Kentucky as they face a talented North Carolina squad. Interestingly, the Wildcats and Tar Heels share an early-season blemish: both fell to Michigan State. The Spartans defeated Kentucky 83-66 in New York City on November 18 and handled North Carolina 74-58 in Fort Myers, Florida, on Thanksgiving.
Kentucky is hoping to use that film to prepare for Tuesday night’s matchup. Sophomore guard Collin Chandler noted that energy and endurance will be critical. “It was pretty even for the first 33 minutes,” Chandler said of the MSU-UNC game. “I think that’s what it’s gonna come down to with North Carolina, with other teams — just beating a team to that breaking point.”
While both teams struggled against Michigan State, Pope and UNC coach Hubert Davis will look for any insights to gain an edge when the ball tips at Rupp Arena. With Dioubate and Lowe still unavailable, Kentucky will need its healthy players to step up against a top-20 opponent.
