John Calipari says it will be 'a couple of weeks' before Sahvir Wheeler returns

John Calipari revealed that Kentucky point guard Sahvir Wheeler underwent a minor procedure Wednesday that is unrelated to the ankle injury keeping him out of action. He has now revealed the timetable for Wheeler’s return.

“My guess right now, and what the doctors told me — it’s going to be a couple of weeks,” Calipari said postgame. “Or at least, that’s what they think. So, this is what we have right now.”

A couple of weeks is a vague term, which makes one think seeing Wheeler in a Kentucky uniform again this season is getting less and less likely. With the SEC Tournament one week away and the NCAA Tournament soon after that, time is running out for Wheeler to recover both from his ankle injury and from his procedure. Still, the senior PG has one more season of eligilbility if he chooses to use it.

Wheeler had been coming off the bench for Kentucky before going down with his ailment, but was providing key minutes for Calipari’s squad down the stretch this season. He hasn’t played since Feb. 4, and Cason Wallace has taken over starting point guard duties in his absence.

Unfortunately for Kentucky, Wallace went down with an ankle injury of his own Wednesday night against Vanderbilt. He limped to the locker room before the Commodores mounted a run that would eventually help them defeat the No. 23 Wildcats 68-66.

After the game, Calipari said that Wallace was fine and his ankle wasn’t swollen even though he did not return to the bench. His status for Saturday against Arkansas is questionable and more information will be provided once gameday rolls around.

Without its two primary ball handlers, Kentucky will be forced to rely on scoring specialist Antonio Reeves and third-team point guard Adou Thiero to handle the duties of Wheeler and Wallace if Wallace is unable to suit up.

Tip-off between the Wildcats and Razorbacks is set for Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET live on CBS.