The Kentucky Wildcats narrowly edged out Colgate without two key players, Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa, both sidelined with lower-leg injuries.
Butler is dealing with an ankle issue that, while not considered serious, has kept him out of the last two games. Meanwhile, Kriisa faces a longer recovery after fracturing his foot during the Wildcats’ overtime victory against Gonzaga. Initial estimates suggested a 3-6 week absence, but head coach Mark Pope indicated after the Colgate game that Kriisa is likely looking at a six-week recovery period.
If that timeline holds, Kriisa could return by late January, just as Kentucky dives deeper into its SEC schedule. Key matchups around that time include games against Alabama (Jan. 18), Vanderbilt (Jan. 25), and Tennessee (Jan. 28). And, of course, there’s the highly anticipated February 1 showdown against Arkansas and John Calipari—a game where having Kriisa back would be a significant boost.
