John Calipari provides updates on Adou Thiero, seven-footers

We have an unexpected addition to the injury report following Kentucky’s 86-46 victory over New Mexico State. Starting forward Adou Thiero, who scored Kentucky’s first points of the game, checked himself out at the 12:35 mark of the second half after falling to the court on a shot block attempt. He stayed on the bench for a few minutes and eventually retreated to the locker room.

“Adou has a headache, so it’ll be a day-to-day thing with him,” John Calipari said after the game.

Then there is Zvonimir Ivisic, who was on Kentucky’s sideline tonight but did not play or participate in warm-ups. On the SEC Network broadcast, Tom Hart said that Big Z missed four practices due to an illness. Last week, he participated in Kentucky’s shootaround prior to the exhibition vs. Kentucky State but had to leave the arena before warmups because of food poisoning. Calipari confirmed the illness after the game.

“Now, going through the process with Z but he was sick for four days. This kid lost 10 pounds. You kidding me? I’m saying, ‘Wou’ve got buzzard’s luck, kid.’ So, whether he’ll be eligible or not, I don’t know if he could play Friday. He hasn’t practiced for five to six days.”

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What about the other seven-footers? Calipari once again said that Aaron Bradshaw is ahead of Ugonna Onyenso with his recovery, but is still “a week or two” from even attempting to join the team in practice.

“I think Aaron is ahead of Ugonna by two weeks. Now, what does that mean? I don’t know, but he’s ahead of him. He’s jumping and doing stuff. He’s still probably a week or two weeks from trying to practice and be with us.”

Assuming Ivisic is not cleared by the NCAA or ready to be thrown into the fire, Kentucky will be without any of its seven-footers vs. No. 1 Kansas next Tuesday. The makeshift frontcourt has done well thus far, but Hunter Dickinson and the Jayhawks present a whole other challenge.

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