Vanderbilt Remains Doubtful Entering NCAA Tournament
John Calipari wasn’t sure how his team would respond with Jarred Vanderbilt out for the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Vanderbilt’s energy and rebounding had been essential in Kentucky’s late-season surge and replacing them wouldn’t be easy. The Wildcats, however, managed to find a way, proving they could win without the 6-foot-9 freshman forward.
That was a positive development, but don’t think the Cats have forgotten what Vanderbilt’s presence means for their team.
“That was definitely important,” Hamidou Diallo said on Sunday when he was asked about winning without Vanderbilt, “but he’s definitely a big part to our team and we definitely need him out there.”
UK did sweep through St. Louis, but the Cats were outrebounded in all three games. Kentucky has been outrebounded only three times in the 14 games Vanderbilt has played this season.
At least to start the NCAA Tournament, it seems UK will have to keep winning without Vanderbilt, who is averaging 5.9 points and 7.9 rebounds. In the midst of a well-deserved day off for the team on Monday, John Calipari gave an update on Vanderbilt’s injury and status ahead of UK’s trip westward for the NCAA Tournament.
“He wants to play, but I just don’t see it right now being able to put him in there and feel comfortable about it,” Calipari said.
Calipari is thinking about both Vanderbilt and his team in making that evaluation. In Coach Cal’s mind, neither benefits if Vanderbilt tries to play when he can’t go all out.
“Right now I haven’t seen him, but I won’t see him until (Tuesday),” Calipari said. “But he knows, if he’s not able to go full bore I’m not playing him – for him or for us. If he is at 85, 90 percent, I don’t think I’d play him. For him or us. He’s proven who he is as a player, but more importantly anyone that steps on that court that can’t bring it – these tournament games are life and death and the other team is going to bring it.”
That means fifth-seeded UK (24-10) will almost certainly play without Vanderbilt in its first-round game vs. No. 12 Davidson (21-11) at 7:10 p.m. ET in Boise, Idaho. The same goes for a potential second-round game on Saturday.
As for the following weekend should UK advance, Calipari was more hopeful.
“Maybe,” Calipari said when he was asked whether Vanderbilt might be available next weekend. “Maybe.”
