LSU starting point guard Jalen Cook questionable vs. Kentucky

Both Kentucky and LSU could be down starters tonight. As you know, we’re still waiting to hear if Tre Mitchell can return to the lineup after injuring his shoulder vs. Ole Miss last week. LSU could have three players out, including starting point guard Jalen Cook, the Tigers’ leading scorer.

Cook has missed two of the last four games with a hamstring injury, sitting out the loss to Tennessee on Feb. 7 and LSU’s stunning upset at South Carolina this past Saturday. Yesterday, LSU coach Matt McMahon said Cook is questionable for tonight. Former Kentucky big man Daimion Collins (shoulder) and shooting guard Carlos Stewart (lower body) are both out with injuries sustained earlier this season.

“Carlos remains out. Daimion is out still with the shoulder. Then, Cook has a leg injury that cost him the Tennessee game and the game against South Carolina, so we’ll see how he is at practice today, and how he responds will determine his status. Wish I had a more definitive answer for you, but we’ll have to see how he feels tomorrow heading into the game.”

Cook suffered the injury in practice earlier this month. He’s tested it since, totaling 32 points in LSU’s losses to Alabama (Feb. 10) and Florida (Feb. 13). The fact that the Tigers were able to pull off the upset win at then-No. 11 South Carolina on Saturday is impressive. Senior guards Trae Hannibal and Jordan Wright filled the void, with sophomores Tyrell Ward and Jalen Reed providing support off the bench in the second-half comeback. Wright, who has lit Kentucky up before as a Vanderbilt Commodore, hit two free throws with five seconds left to seal the victory.

The win over South Carolina was big, but to keep up with Kentucky’s high-powered offense, the Tigers could use Cook back in the lineup, Matthew Brune, a reporter for On3’s The Bengal Tiger, told KSR+’s Jacob Polacheck.

“On the court, offensively, they have some good versatility when Jalen Cook is healthy. Without him, it’s more senior center Will Baker, senior guard Jordan Wright, and a couple of other guys on the wing.”

As for Mitchell, John Calipari said he did not practice on Monday, bringing his availability for tonight into doubt. Sources tell KSR that Mitchell’s injury is a sprained trapezius, which is good in the sense that it’s not a long-term tear or dislocation; however, it’s still a painful and awkward injury that can be hard to come back from in the short term.

We’ll find out more about Cook and Mitchell when the Cats and the Tigers take the court for warmups tonight. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

LSU WBB star Angel Reece asks fans to “Pack the PMac”

Tickets still remain for tonight’s game, but not for long if Angel Reece has anything to do with it. The LSU Women’s Basketball star has been encouraging fans to “Pack the PMac” all week. She will be in attendance, and likely, will get a fair bit of camera time. Reece is averaging 19.2 points per game for the No. 13 Tigers, who are second in the SEC standings behind undefeated South Carolina.

TOMORROW WE PACKING THE PMAC!! WE NEED ALL 15K PEOPLE IN THERE!! BEAT KENTUCKYYYYYY!!! LET'S GO!! I’M THERE SO WHAT YALL DOING????🔥🤯 https://t.co/2SGWJFTxRV

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) February 20, 2024

LSU isn’t handing out t-shirts or towels tonight, but the first 500 students get free Raising Cane’s chicken fingers. Time to ruin Chicken Finger Night in Baton Rouge.