Mo Dioubate is out vs. Gonzaga, 'we'll see' if Jaland Lowe can play

Kentucky will certainly not have one injured Wildcat back against Gonzaga while another is trending toward a return sooner rather than later — TBD on Friday night in Nashville.

We’ll start with Mo Dioubate, who Mark Pope confirmed had a lingering high-ankle sprain that will keep him out against the Bulldogs, but did not rule out anything going into next week and beyond.

“He’s got a high-ankle sprain. He’s doing good, won’t be available tomorrow. There’s a chance maybe next week, we’ll see,” Pope said. “These things sometimes can be weeks and weeks and weeks, so he’s doing everything he can to get back. It’s just — these high-ankle sprains are super painful, and it’s, without getting too specific, it’s just a torn ligament between the tibia and fibula. It’s just whatever, you know?”

Love the chance for next week, don’t love the weeks and weeks and weeks possibility, knowing we’re 16 days removed from his last appearance against Michigan State in New York City. Kentucky needs the former scenario to unfold.

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As for Jaland Lowe, who reinjured his right shoulder in practice on November 13 just two games after returning from the same injury, he’s on return alert for the Wildcats. The team’s projected starter to open the season is now back on the practice floor and is set to be a full-contact participant on Thursday.

If all goes well, there is a chance he plays on Friday against Gonzaga.

“He’s been a little bit on the practice floor, he’s gonna try and practice a little bit today. He did some live stuff yesterday, so he’s kind of working his way back in and we’ll see how that goes. Today we’re gonna let him kind of — you guys can all come and take a shot at it if you want, just roll in. We’re gonna see what happens. I don’t know (about Gonzaga), we’ll see. Don’t know, I’m not sure.”

Again, the Cats desperately need him back on the floor, so fingers crossed practice goes well today and he’s ready to give it a shot against the Bulldogs in the Music City.