Mark Pope says Jaland Lowe's shoulder injury is a 'day-to-day kind of process'

The injury status of Kentucky point guard Jaland Lowe remains up in the air.

During his Thursday press conference, head coach Mark Pope was asked about Lowe’s non-shooting shoulder, which he re-injured one week ago during practice.

“We’re still in consultation, still seeing how rehab goes,” Pope said. “So right now, it’s just a matter of like, can he get to a place where he feels some stability and some strength? I wish I had better answers for you right now, but it really is a day-to-day kind of process to see where he ends up. He’s got really good mobility right now. And so it’s just a matter of stability and strength and kind of see what we get and take another swing if he can.”

Lowe originally dislocated his right shoulder during the Blue-White Game on Oct. 17. He missed both exhibition games against No. 1 Purdue and Georgetown, then the regular season opener against Nicholls, before returning against Valparaiso and Louisville. But during practice last Thursday, he re-injured the same shoulder and sat out Friday’s win over Eastern Illinois and Tuesday’s Champions Classic loss to Michigan State.

Kentucky will return to action on Friday against Loyola. It doesn’t sound like Lowe will suit up and give it a go for that one, but Pope’s words make it sound like Lowe will at least try to make his back on the floor at some point.

What about Mo Dioubate’s ankle?

As if the injury bug wasn’t already biting Kentucky enough, another Wildcat is also dealing with a minor issue. Forward Mo Dioubate went down late against Michigan State with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Pope confirmed that it is an ankle problem and that he does not expect Dioubate to practice on Thursday. His status for Friday will be a game-time decision.

“He’s got an ankle [injury]. I don’t think he’ll practice today, and it’ll be a game-time [decision],” Pope said of Dioubate. “I would think there’s probably some significant chance he won’t play. But he’s tough as nails.”

Dioubate has been productive for Kentucky through five games this season, averaging 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per outing while shooting 62.2 percent from the field.

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