INDIANAPOLIS — Willie Cauley-Stein, who suffered a left ankle injury in Kentucky’s 74-69 Sweet 16 victory over Louisville, is telling his team he’s going to try to play vs. Michigan, but John Calipari said on Saturday his sophomore center is “doubtful” for the Wildcats’ Elite Eight game.”He’s still in a boot. He’s doubtful,” Calipari said. “He’s acting like he thinks he can do something. I would be stunned if he played in this game, but he’s saying he may want to give it a try. But he hasn’t been out of that boot.”Cauley-Stein left Friday’s game at the 13:05 mark, though it’s still unclear what exactly happened. The sophomore forward limped off the court and received treatment on the sidelines before hobbling back to the locker room.He never returned to the game or the bench. “It’s not an Achilles,” Calipari said. “It’s an ankle. It’s his ankle.”When Cauley-Stein’s teammates saw him on the trainer’s table during halftime and learned they would be without him for rest of the game, several of the Cats told him they were going to win it for him. Calipari was told Cauley-Stein was going “bonkers” in the locker room rooting for his teammates, but it looks like he will be reduced to nothing but a cheerleader again on Sunday.”Hopefully he’s able to limp his way in there and give us a few minutes, but maybe he can’t,” Coach Cal said.If Cauley-Stein can’t play, UK will lose its best defender. Cauley-Stein led the team with 106 blocks in 37 games, and down the stretch he’s been instrumental in UK’s turnaround, swatting 18 shots in the previous five contests.Without the lanky 7-footer, the Cats blocked just two shots on Friday, well below their 6.1 average.”It changes a lot,” Aaron Harrison said. “He’s a great defender, blocks a lot of shots, drives from the corners.” Dakari Johnson stepped up in Cauley-Stein’s place, scoring a career-high-tying 15 points and grabbing six rebounds, but his role will become even more vital going forward.To bring you more expansive coverage, CoachCal.com and Cat Scratches
will be joining forces for the postseason. You can read the same great
stories you are accustomed to from both sites at CoachCal.com and
UKathletics.com/blog, but now you’ll enjoy even more coverage than
normal.