Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin will NOT play today vs. Florida

Jacob Toppin will not join his teammates on the floor when the Kentucky Wildcats take on the Florida Gators this afternoon.

After days of uncertainty regarding his availability, the school confirmed Toppin would miss today’s matchup shortly before the opening tip. He suffered a left ankle injury in Kentucky’s win at South Carolina on Tuesday.

Jacob Toppin (ankle) is out for today’s game. He is day-to-day.

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 12, 2022

The junior forward went down late in the first half in Columbia, rolling his left ankle while battling for a defensive rebound with roughly 1:45 to go. After being helped off the floor and taken to the locker room, Kentucky quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Prior to the injury, Toppin added 10 points (4-5 FG) and three rebounds in six first-half minutes for the Wildcats, including a stretch of eight straight points in just 94 seconds.

What does it mean for the rest of the team with Toppin now officially out against the Gators? More opportunities for the players fighting for minutes at the bottom of the rotation.

“It gives another guy an opportunity,” UK head coach John Calipari said Friday. “One guy’s misery is another guy’s opportunity. Whether it’s Bryce (Hopkins), whether it’s Daimion (Collins), whether it’s Lance (Ware), you know? Maybe I’ll end up having to play Keion (Brooks) more minutes.”

Toppin is currently averaging 5.9 points (57.0% FG, 66.7% 3PT, 78.1% FT), 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 15.4 minutes per game this season.

Next man up.