John Calipari gives injury update on Karter Knox
The No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team handled business in their season-opening 109-77 win over the Southern Jaguars inside Bud Walton Arena on Monday night.
The second year of the John Calipari era tipped off without projected starter Karter Knox, who did not play due to a sprained toe. Calipari said it is still up in the air on whether or not Knox will be available when the Hogs travel to play the No. 22 Michigan State Spartans this weekend.
“We have one more day off tomorrow, but if you can’t practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday then you can’t play,” Calipari said of Knox’s status. “You are going to be able to go 70% in the game? You can’t do it. If you are not healthy enough to go, then you should not go. We will play with who we have.”
Against the Jaguars, the Razorbacks were led by true freshmen sensations Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, as well as senior Trevon Brazile. Acuff was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 20 points on 7 of 10 shooting, including 3 of 3 from three-point range. Acuff finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
Brazile hit a new career high with 25 points and notched a double-double with 11 rebounds. Thomas scored 21 with 4 rebounds while recording a team-high 7 assists.
The Razorbacks and Spartans play Saturday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., with tip off set for 6 p.m. CT. The game will air on FOX.
