Absence of Wheeler, Fredrick Force Spartan Minutes at Georgia; Calipari Unsure if Guards Will Return at Mississippi State

John Calipari had no update on whether the injured guards would make a return next Wednesday in Starkville.

ATHENS, Ga. — Kentucky head coach John Calipari did not have an update on the status of point guard Sahvir Wheeler nor shooting guard CJ Fredrick following the Wildcats' 75-68 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Cats took their ninth loss of the season shorthanded on Saturday, as the pair of guards were held out due to injuries — Wheeler's an ankle ailment, Fredrick's a cracked rib. 

It's Wheeler's second game in a row that he's missed. The ankle injury was picked up in practice earlier in the week, per coach John Calipari. It's the third different knock that's forced Wheeler to miss a game this season. 

Fredrick's rib injury came against Florida last weekend, as he fell onto a cameraman after making a layup. While he played against Arkansas on Tuesday, Calipari admitted that he "probably shouldn't have." 

Neither guard warmed up inside Stegeman Coliseum, though they did travel with the team. 

Following the disappointing defeat, Calipari told Tom Leach on UK's postgame radio show that he had "no idea" if either player would be ready for the Wildcats' next test, another road game, this time in Starkville, Miss. against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. 

No Wheeler meant that freshman Adou Thiero had to backup Cason Wallace at the point guard spot. Calipari said after the game that the plan was for Thiero to play just "10 or 12 minutes," but he ended up having to send the youngster out for 15 of the first 20 minutes of the outing — the most he's played in the span of a half this season. 

"We're playing basically without a point guard," he explained. 

Theiro played tough, earning two points, three rebounds and two assists, but only played a minute in the second half. 

Without Fredrick, Antonio Reeves moved into the starting lineup and never took a seat, playing all 40 minutes, the first time he's played more than 31 in a game for UK this season.  

He took 21 shots, making eight, totaling 20 points to go along with six rebounds. Calipari said that he played the Illinois State transfer too many minutes, though he really didn't have a choice. 

"I feel like my legs were kind of getting tired," Reeves told reporters postgame. "Playing 40 minutes is tough for anybody, to be honest. I think that me being out there too much, it got a toll on my legs."

Down the stretch the Bulldogs found easier offensive looks, leading to the frustrating loss for the Wildcats. Not having Wheeler or Fredrick for any extended period of time will only spell disaster for the Cats as they know claw for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. 

Kentucky and Mississippi State will do battle with or without the guards on Wednesday, Feb. 15 inside Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST and will air on the SEC Network. 

More on the loss to the Bulldogs HERE.

Game notes from the defeat can be found HERE.

WATCH: John Calipari speaks after loss to UGA.

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