Just when Big Blue Nation thought the injury clouds would never part, Mark Pope stepped to the microphone and delivered a ray of sunshine that felt almost too good to be true. As the Wildcats prepare for
a season-defining showdown with Gonzaga, the narrative has shifted from “who is out” to “who might actually play.”
For weeks, the updates have been vague and frustrating. But yesterday, something shifted inside the Joe Craft Center.
According to Pope, it wasn’t just a good practice; it was a “significantly special day.”
For the first time all season, including the summer months, every single player on the roster was on the practice floor at the same time.
‘There are still marks on the wall from him blocking shots’
The biggest news concerns the unicorn himself, Jayden Quaintance. The highly touted big man has been a ghost this season, recovering from a serious injury that has kept him sidelined. But yesterday, he took a massive step forward.
“Yesterday was a really significant special day because we actually had a half-court segment and it was semi-controlled contact,” Pope beamed. “For the first time ever, including the summer, we had all of our guys on the practice floor. It was the first time ever.”
Pope credited the medical staff, Randy Towner and Brandon Wells, saying that people will be “writing medical articles” about the work they have done to get Quaintance back this quickly. And while he isn’t 100% yet, the flashes are already terrifying for teammates.
“We had some possessions yesterday where… guys were racing in trying to make a play at the rim, and JQ came out of nowhere and kind of sent it,” Pope said. “There are still marks on the wall from him blocking shots.”
The timeline has officially moved from “months” to “days and weeks.” Pope hopes to incorporate him into games within the next month, but the fact that he is crossing half-court and blocking shots is a massive development.
A ‘Christmas miracle’ for Mo Dioubate
If the Quaintance news was the main course, the update on Mo Dioubate was the sweetest dessert. The physical forward has been out with a painful high-ankle sprain, an injury that usually lingers for weeks. But yesterday, he was back.
“Mo was on the court for a minute yesterday. It was a miracle,” Pope said while laughing. “It was like a Christmas miracle. It was like, wow, we actually have it. He’s crazy rusty as you could imagine, but he’s on the road to recovery.”
When asked if the door was open for Dioubate to play tomorrow night against Indiana, Pope didn’t slam it shut. “Maybe we’ll see. I don’t know.”
Even Jaland Lowe, who is dealing with “a lot of stuff” regarding his health, received praise for being “terrific” in his limited minutes recently.
For a team that has been decimated by bad luck, this update is everything. Reinforcements aren’t just coming; they are already on the practice floor, putting marks on the wall and giving this staff a glimpse of what a full-strength Kentucky might actually look like.
Drew Holbrook has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion
