Kentucky Basketball Faces Setback as Jaxson Robinson Is Out for Tennessee Game
The Kentucky Wildcats will be missing an important player for their upcoming game against the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday night.
Fifth-year guard Jaxson Robinson, who has been a key contributor to the Wildcats’ backcourt, has been ruled out for the game due to a wrist injury he sustained during practice last Friday.
The injury, which was serious enough to prevent him from playing, leaves a noticeable gap in Kentucky’s lineup as they attempt to secure a significant SEC victory at Rupp Arena.
Robinson’s injury occurred during a collision in practice, which Kentucky head coach Mark Pope described as “scary.”
Though initial X-rays revealed no fractures, Robinson continued to experience discomfort, prompting additional evaluations.
The guard played through the pain in the Wildcats’ recent 80-57 win over South Carolina, recording six points, five rebounds, and four assists in 20 minutes.
However, it became clear that he wasn’t playing at full capacity, and his condition didn’t improve enough to make him available for the Tennessee game.
Coach Pope had previously mentioned the possibility of Robinson’s absence being a “game-time decision,” but it was confirmed on Monday night that Robinson would not be available.
This leaves Kentucky with a significant challenge, as the fifth-year guard has been averaging 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, contributing greatly to the team’s offensive flow.
Robinson also played a crucial role in Kentucky’s victory over Tennessee earlier in the season, where he scored 17 points and made four three-pointers, along with applying solid defense.
With Robinson out, Kentucky will likely need other players to step up. Graduate senior Koby Brea is expected to take his place in the starting lineup, while freshmen Collin Chandler and Trent Noah could see increased playing time off the bench.
Coach Pope is hopeful that these younger players will rise to the occasion, as they did during a previous game against Tennessee when the Wildcats were also missing key players.
Kentucky is not only dealing with Robinson’s injury. Guard Kerr Kriisa remains sidelined with a foot injury, and there’s uncertainty about his return.
Guard Lamont Butler is listed as probable after battling a shoulder issue, while forward Andrew Carr continues to deal with a lingering back problem.
As the Wildcats (16-7, 5-5 SEC) prepare to face Tennessee (20-4, 7-4 SEC), they’ll need to adjust their strategy to cope with these absences. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with ESPN providing live coverage.