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The Kentucky Wildcats were holding their breath Saturday when star point guard Ashton Hagans limped off the court with a lower-leg injury.
Initially, the fear was it was an Achilles injury that could sideline him for a while, if not end his season. Thankfully, it turned out to be a low-ankle sprain, the kind of injury that can heal within a week.
Still, that has Hagans’ status for Tuesday vs. Georgia very much in question.
On Monday, assistant coach Joel Justus met with the media to preview Tuesday’s clash with the Dawgs. Justus also gave a brief update on Hagans, who is hoping to practice today, while fellow guard Immanuel Quickley says the Georgia native is feeling better.
UK assistant Joel Justus says Ashton Hagans (ankle) is day to day. Says he thinks Hagans will at least try to practice — unsure if medical staff will allow it. Immanuel Quickley says Hagans told him he feels good and IQ knows he wants to play back home at Georgia.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 6, 2020
In addition, freshman guard Johnny Juzang did not play Saturday due to an illness, which has kept him away from the team. After the win over Missouri, head coach John Calipari revealed that Juzang is not expected to play In Athens, which makes it even more imperative that Hagans plays.
If Hagans and Juzang miss Tuesday, UK will be down to Immanuel Quickley and Tyrese Maxey as the only true scholarship guards. That’s a tough deal since Georgia has arguably the best guard and overall player in college hoops in Anthony Edwards, who UK will needs all hands on deck in order to slow down.
If Hagans doesn’t play Tuesday, it sounds like he’ll have a decent chance of playing Saturday when UK returns to Rupp Arena to host the Alabama Crimson Tide.