Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein said to be 'doubtful' for Michigan matchup
INDIANAPOLIS — Kentucky forward Willie Cauley-Stein is "doubtful" to play in Sunday's Elight Eight matchup against Michigan, Wildcats coach John Calipari said on Saturday.
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The 7-foot sophomore injured his left ankle during Friday's win over Louisville and is currently wearing a walking boot. Calipari said that rumors Cauley-Stein had torn his Achilles tendon were false.
"He's acting like he thinks he can do something, but I would be stunned if he played in this game," Calipari said. "He hasn't been out of that boot."
Kentucky players told reporters they hadn't yet seen Cauley-Stein on Saturday.
Cauley-Stein has been a defensive stalwart for Kentucky, providing size in the lane and averaging almost three blocks a game this season. He has been projected as a first-round draft pick should he decide to enter the NBA after this season.
Kentucky, however, has a lot of ways to deal with Cauley-Stein's presumed absence. The Wildcats boast an obscene amount of size among its forwards and saw both Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress step up on Friday night. Johnson had arguably his best game since coming to Lexington, scoring 15 points and grabbing six boards over a season-high 31 minutes.
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