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It’s obvious Kentucky coach Mark Pope cannot wait for guard Kerr Kriisa to return.
The guard, who celebrated his 24th birthday Thursday, injured his foot about a month ago in Kentucky’s win over Gonzaga and is not expected back when UK opens Southeastern Conference play by hosting unbeaten Florida Saturday at 11 a.m.
“In my mind, he’s a game-time decision for Saturday — but sometimes I live in a little bit of a fantasy land. We’ll see how that goes, but he’s still got — I mean, this is a major deal. It’s going to take some time,” Pope said Thursday.
Most estimates were that Kerr might return by mid-January at best but Pope said on his weekly radio call-in show Monday he had been asking to get Kerr cleared to play sooner. However, an original timetable would probably have Kerr back no earlier than when UK plays Vanderbilt Jan. 25.
Kerr, who has made 93 collegiate starts, is an intense competitor who has not had to miss games due to injuries like this before.
“I mean, it was devastating for him, for sure. Like, devastating. He loves competing so much. I don’t think his life feels quite right not being able to compete, his life doesn’t feel right,” Pope said. “He’s trying to lose himself in this team in other ways and that’s going to be an incredible growing experience for him.
“That’s what we have to make it, an opportunity to really grow and learn new ways to do things. He’s around good people and he’ll do it.”
One Response
I hope Kriisa recovers from his injury, but the PT that Perry is getting is huge. I wish Noah could see more action but there will be very few blowouts on our remaining schedule.