Kentucky basketball’s already thin lineup took another major hit Tuesday night against Michigan State when starting forward Mo Dioubate suffered what appeared to be a rolled ankle with 5:03 left in the game.
The injury occurred as Dioubate came down from a rebound attempt, and his leg became tangled with another player, causing him to land awkwardly. He grabbed his ankle but was able to take himself to the locker room. He did not return to the game but did eventually return to the bench.
The Wildcats were trailing by 20 points at the time, making the decision to keep Dioubate out a logical one, but the long-term implications could be far more costly than the final score against the Spartans. Kentucky is already battling significant injuries at key positions. Starting point guard Jaland Lowe remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, while starting big man Jayden Quaintance has yet to make his season debut as he continues to recover from ACL surgery.
Dioubate, who is one of Kentucky’s most physical defenders and most reliable rebounders, has been essential in stabilizing the frontcourt during Quaintance’s recovery. His absence now leaves the Wildcats extremely thin in the paint, an area where Michigan State already exploited them throughout the night.
For a team still searching for identity on both ends of the floor, losing another starter is the last thing Kentucky needed. As conference play creeps closer, the Wildcats now find themselves not only battling tough opponents but also the injury bug that’s hitting harder each week.
