CJ Fredrick, Sahvir Wheeler out for Kentucky vs. Florida

Kentucky will not have CJ Fredrick and Sahvir Wheeler for Wednesday’s road trip against Florida, the team confirmed. The pair of guards have now missed the last four games together.

Wheeler’s injury to his ankle was a reaggravation from a previous ailment, which he suffered at practice two weeks ago. Fredrick cracked one of his ribs after he collided with a camera operator earlier this month against Florida. 

In the last three games Kentucky has been without the pair, the Wildcats have gone a strong 2-1 including two Quad 1 victories in the past week. Those wins helped move UK back inside the bubble with its back-to-back wins over Mississippi State and No. 11 Tennessee.

Kentucky and Florida tip-off at 7 p.m. ET live on ESPN. The Wildcats won the first meeting 72-67 in Lexington and saw Wheeler and Fredrick combine for 20 points.

KT Turner reveals how Oscar Tshiebwe has responded to a challenge from Kentucky staff

Kentucky and reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe likes a challenge. Assistant coach KT Turner said the Wildcats coaching staff, including John Calipari, has not been afraid to use that to their advantage.

“Coach has just really challenged him to guard better in ball screens and communicate better,” Turner said ahead of the team’s game Wednesday. “He took it upon himself to accept the challenge. He’s done a lot better. Like you said, he’s engaged. He’s talking more. He’s studying film more.”

Tshiebwe and Kentucky started out somewhat slow to start the 2022-23 season but they have been better over the last few weeks. Since Jan. 14, Kentucky is 8-3 and is currently riding a four-game winning streak. Tshiebwe is averaging 15.2 points and 13.0 rebounds on the season on 54.5% shooting. The 13.0 rebounds per game is the top number in the NCAA.

This past weekend against Tennessee, he took the challenge of being better after the team’s first game of the season.

“I felt like he was a lot more physical,” Turner said. “Oscar takes challenges to heart and we challenge him at times and he’s good with that.”