Kentucky basketball: Fears over Washington injury overshadows Cats victory

The Kentucky basketball team remained unbeaten at home in 15 games this season muzzling the Florida Gators 78-57, but the jubilation was overshadowed by the concern over the severity of TyTy Washington’s injury.

Kentucky once again put in a blue-collar effort in securing win No. 21 this season in 25 games, it is the fourth-best start to 25 games under John Calipari at Kentucky. The No. 5 ranked Wildcats put together impressive runs to open each half and sandwiched tough and rugged play in between as has been MO their past six straight wins including Wednesday at South Carolina.

But with 12:30 left in the game and Kentucky leading 52-42, Washington went after a ball near the Florida bench and Gator Brandon McKissic collided with him and rolled into his leg.

Kentucky basketball star TyTy Washington leaves with lower leg injury

Washington immediately started slapping the court in pain and frustration, willed himself to his feet, and hobbled by himself on one leg in a sprint past the UK bench and into the tunnel leading to the locker room obviously fueled purely by pain and adrenalin.

After the game coach John Calipari said there was an X-ray done but would not elaborate on the results. Pure speculation just by the tone and demeanor is that he will miss some games. There was not a sense of heartbreak or serious concern.

"“Well, there was an X-ray, so — you know, yeah, so if that were — it looked like there’s something there, I’d be like, wow. Now, he still may be out a week or two, who knows. Could be a muscle, it could be something that separated because he got hit hard. It’s kind of like the guy that bum-rushed our huddle. I mean, the game, it is — but you know what was great, the other players at Florida came right up to me and said, Coach, we’re all good. I said, thank you, we are, too. Our team huddled and said, we’re not buying into that. We’re not. That’s not who we are. We’re worried about winning the game.”"

Now we just have to wait and see but this team will have to prepare without him for several more games. Although there are just six regular-season games remaining with the season finale on March 5 at Florida.

It’s not the first time this team has been without one of its two starting guards Washington and Sahvir Wheeler and they have backups ready to step in.

That being Davion Mintz who came in to score 11 points on 4 of 7 field goal shooting that included knocking down a trio of 3-pointers.

After Washington went down the game became very chippy between the two teams and the fans much more vocal. Every time McKissic touched the ball boos rained down just as loud as the Go Big Blue chants.

Minutes later Lance Ware went after a ball in front of the Kentucky bench that nearly resulted in a brawl but cooler heads prevailed.

Just as before the Kentucky team responded and simply extended their lead. That has become the makeup of the team. It won’t always be easy but they fight together till the end.

Reaping the benefits of this hard work has the Wildcats a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a dangerous foe for any team. If Washington does return they will be definitely threat be in the final four.

Some quick takeaways from the game.