Adou Thiero injury update: John Calipari offers disappointing news on Arkansas star in NCAA Tournament

Arkansas star Adou Thiero is doubtful to play in the Razorbacks’ first round NCAA Tournament game, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. He’s dealing with a knee injury the insider relayed, via John Calipari.

Thiero has not played since Feb. 22 against Missouri, missing the last four regular season games. He’s unlikely to suit up as March Madness begins.

In 26 games played, Thiero is averaging 15.6 points (leading the team), six rebounds, and two assists per game. He is one of four Arkansas players to shoot at least 50% from the field at 54.8%. Despite picking up wins, the Razorbacks will not want to go too long without their leading scorer.

According to Calipari, he does not care too much about the SEC Tournament. He believes only one event is what really matters in college basketball, the NCAA Tournament. Calipari is always striving to win a national championship and that cannot be accomplished this weekend.

“I don’t care about the conference tournament,” Calipari said. “Which is why we won it so many times because I could care less. The tournament that matters is the NCAA Tournament.”

Thiero, who transferred from Kentucky to follow Calipari, is one of the more physical players on the roster. Current Wildcats coach Mark Pope expressed as much earlier this season.

“He’s a monster. Like he’s playing elite-level basketball and he’s just devastating physically,” Mark Pope said. “He’s playing with such an incredible intensity, and motor, and physicality. He’s great downhill. Great at getting to the rim. He’s actually pretty functional in mid-range. He really guards. He’s a one-through-five defensive player.

“In some ways, BBN knows him better than I do. But he’s putting together a really, really special season and he’s a handful for sure. There’s no easy answers with him.”