Jaxson Robinson, right, still has not tested his right wrist after missing the last two games. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Pope isn’t sure when starters Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson will return to the lineup but is optimistic both players will return sooner rather than later.
Butler has been nursing a shoulder injury, re-aggravated it in last Tuesday’s win over Tennessee and missed Saturday’s 82-78 loss at Texas. Pope said Butler is “moving pretty well” and his return will depend on his tolerance to pain.
“He still hasn’t practiced with live play, but for him, it’s just a matter of how far along does he have to get where he could actually take a hit in the game? That’s the biggest question for him,” he said.
“That’s going to be a little bit of a guessing game. We’ll try and get him some live stuff in practice over the next week or so.”
Robinson, who suffered a wrist injury to his shooting hand, hasn’t played since Kentucky’s 80-57 win over South Carolina on Feb. 2. Pope said Robinson has been trying out his left hand in practice.
“He’s done a ton of left-handed shooting and probably, unsurprisingly, he’s making a lot of shots left-handed,” Pope said.
“So I am actually pushing him to just tie up the right wrist, just get that thing safe in a big cast, and let’s just play lefty on Wednesday. I’m not sure he’s prepared to do that.”
