Dec. 1, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. –
Tubby Smith’s Wildcats, fresh off their return from Maui, suffered a blow on Sunday when they lost starting guard Antwain Barbour with a broken left hand. The University of Kentucky junior was bumped during practice and fell on his non-shooting hand, breaking his third metacarpal bone, the same bone teammate Jules Camara broke in early October.

“It’s unfortunate. With Cliff Hawkins still out, it’s another experienced player out of our lineup,” Smith said. “We hope to get Antwain back in about five weeks.”

Barbour, a 6-5 transfer from Wabash Junior College, started all three games last week, averaging 7.3 points and 3.0 assists per game as Kentucky earned a third-place finish in the Maui Invitational.

The Wildcats (2-1) play their home opener against High Point on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Rupp Arena. With Barbour injured, Hawkins out until after the fall semester and Erik Daniels out for one more game due to an NCAA suspension, Smith will have just nine scholarship players available against the Panthers, plus three walk-ons.