Sahvir Wheeler, CJ Fredrick both out at Mississippi State

John Calipari meant it when he said “we might have to go with one guard” at Mississippi State during his call-in radio show on Monday.

Sahvir Wheeler (ankle) and CJ Fredrick (rib) are both out tonight against the Bulldogs in Starkville, Kentucky’s head coach announced during a pregame radio segment with Tom Leach. This news comes after the guard duo missed the team’s loss at Georgia, with Wheeler also missing the home loss vs. Arkansas.

“Yeah, neither one will play,” Calipari said tonight. “We’re shorthanded, but we’ve got enough guys. Let’s go, next man up.”

Fredrick cracked a rib colliding with a cameraman during the Florida game on Feb. 4, and after trying to play through the injury vs. Arkansas, couldn’t give it a go on the road in Athens. As for Wheeler, he twisted his ankle in practice on Monday of last week, an injury he has not yet recovered from.

Neither Wildcat practiced this week, nor did they participate in pregame shootaround in Starkville.

Shoot around at Mississippi State. Coverage starts at 7pm on your local UK Sports Network radio affiliate. pic.twitter.com/JipiqBz5OW

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) February 15, 2023

Shorthanded once again, Kentucky will roll with the same starting lineup it tried at Georgia on Saturday. Cason Wallace will again take over lead guard duties, with Antonio Reeves starting at the two, Chris Livingston at the three, Jacob Toppin at the four and Oscar Tshiebwe at the five.

Adou Thiero will be the lone reserve point guard off the bench, with Daimion Collins, Ugonna Onyenso and Lance Ware rounding out the available role pieces.

Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET in Starkville, a must-win matchup for the Wildcats.

And it certainly won’t be an easy one.