John Calipari updates Oscar Tshiebwe's status for Michigan State game

Will Oscar Tshiebwe play tomorrow vs. Michigan State? The reigning national player of the year wants to, but John Calipari said it will depend on how things go in practice today. Oscar missed Kentucky’s first two games of the regular season as he recovers from a minor knee procedure that took place in mid-October.

“He’s supposed to practice today so we’ll have a better idea,” Calipari just told reporters. “He’s been doing the conditioning stuff, he just hasn’t been on that court and that’s totally different. My guess will be he plays three or four minutes at a stretch if he plays.

“He’s going to have to get through [practice] and make sure there’s no swelling. From what I’m hearing he doesn’t have the lift yet but knowing him, he wants to play but I can’t tell you right now.”

While those comments may make it sound like Oscar won’t play tomorrow night, Calipari threw in this line later on when asked if it will be harder for CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves to get open looks vs. Michigan State.

“Not if Oscar’s in there,” Calipari said smiling. “You’ve got your choice. Don’t let them touch it, stay out there and let Oscar go one-on-one. And then you trap it and Oscar has been a pretty good passer. So, he makes it different.”

Daimion Collins expected to play vs. Michigan State

Ugonna Onyenso and Lance Ware have held down the frontcourt in Oscar’s absence. Onyenso is averaging 7.5 points and 7.0 rebounds through two games and Ware 4.0 points and 3.0 rebounds. Tomorrow night, the Cats will also have Daimion Collins, who also missed the first two games of the season as he mourns his father, Ben. Collins was in Texas for the funeral this weekend but will be back at practice today.

“I would expect Daimion to play, yes,” Calipari said. “He practiced Wednesday and Thursday of last week and he practiced Monday and he’ll practice today so I would say he’s good to go.”