As the 2025 NCAA Tournament tips off, the Kentucky Wildcats are limping—figuratively and, for some, literally—into March Madness. With a staggering 44 games missed due to injury across the roster this season, the Cats have faced a gauntlet of health setbacks. Yet, with the first-round matchup against Troy on the horizon, there’s cautious optimism in Lexington. Can this battered squad notch their first tournament win in two years and claw their way back to the Sweet 16 for the first time this decade? Let’s break down the health report and what it means for Kentucky’s postseason hopes.
The Injury Toll: 44 Games and Counting
Kentucky’s season has been a war of attrition. From sprained ankles to fractured feet, the Wildcats’ training room has seen more traffic than Rupp Arena’s concession stands. Those 44 missed games represent a roster stretched thin, forcing freshmen into big roles and veterans to grit through pain. It’s a testament to coach Mark Pope’s adaptability that Kentucky even made it to the dance—but now, the real test begins.
Lamont Butler: Green Light for Troy
The good news? Starting point guard Lamont Butler is cleared to play against Troy, per Mark Pope’s latest update. Butler, a fifth-year transfer from San Diego State, has been a linchpin when healthy, averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 assists while locking down opponents with his tenacious defense. His shoulder injury sidelined him for multiple stretches, including a three-game absence in February, but his return is a game-changer. If Butler can shake off the rust and stay on the floor, Kentucky’s backcourt regains its bite—just in time to face a Trojans squad hungry for an upset.
Trent Noah: Battling a Bug
Freshman Trent Noah, a Kentucky high school legend, has been a feel-good story when given minutes. However, he’s currently under the weather with what the team believes is a 24-hour bug according to Mark Pope. The illness hit at an inconvenient time, but the prognosis is optimistic—he should be back to full strength soon after the tournament’s opening whistle. Noah’s not a starter, but his hustle and outside shooting (he logged 12 minutes and four rebounds against Vanderbilt in January) could provide a spark off the bench if he’s ready. For now, the staff is playing it safe, hoping rest cures what ails him.
Mark Pope just said Trent Noah is not at Selection Sunday due to him being sick and thinks it's a 24 hour bug. #BBN
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) March 16, 2025
Andrew Carr: Back Spasms, But Battle-Ready
Fifth-year forward Andrew Carr has been Kentucky’s iron man—until his back said otherwise. Dealing with spasms all season, Carr missed his first game in January against Vanderbilt, but he’s since powered through the pain. Now listed as healthy, albeit with lingering discomfort, Carr brings 10.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game to the frontcourt. His 54% field goal clip is second on the team, and his presence inside will be critical against Troy’s physicality. If Carr can manage the spasms, he’s the steady hand Kentucky needs to avoid an early exit.
Kerr Kriisa: Out for the Year
Backup point guard Kerr Kriisa won’t see the court again this season. The fifth-year Estonian, sidelined since December 7 after fracturing his foot against Gonzaga, underwent surgery and never returned. Kriisa’s 3.8 assists per game and fearless energy were vital to Kentucky’s pace-and-space attack, and his absence leaves a void in the backcourt rotation. With a potential medical redshirt looming, his college career might not be over—but for 2025, Kentucky’s dance card is one guard short.
The Stakes: First Win in Two Years, Sweet 16 Drought
Kentucky’s recent March Madness history is a sore spot for Big Blue Nation. The Cats haven’t won a tournament game since 2023.
- 2020: No tournament due to covid
- 2021: Missed NCAA tournament
- 2022: Saint Peters upset
- 2023: Lost to Kansas St in second round
- 2024: Lost to 14 seed Oakland
That is an ugly run since the turn of the decade. A Sweet 16 berth? That hasn’t happened since 2019, making this decade a dry spell and the longest sweet 16 drought in Kentucky history. Facing Troy, a scrappy mid-major with nothing to lose, Kentucky’s health-compromised roster must deliver—or risk another early flameout.
The Troy Test: Can the Cats Stay Standing?
Troy enters as a 14 seed, the Trojans will lean on their strengths—a gritty defense that forces turnovers, and offensive rebounding—to exploit the turnover prone Cats. Butler’s availability bolsters the Cats’ perimeter play, while Carr’s interior toughness should counter Troy’s frontcourt. If Noah shakes his illness, he’s a wildcard off the bench, he has struggled recently with his shot; but has a sweet looking jumper. Without Kriisa, though, depth is thin—freshmen like Travis Perry and Collin Chandler will need to step up. Troy gets to the line a lot, and Kentucky fouls a lot.
Outlook: Fragile, But Feisty
Kentucky’s health heading into March Madness is a patchwork quilt—functional, but frayed at the edges. Butler’s return is the headline, Carr’s grit is the backbone, and Noah’s bug is a minor hiccup. Losing Kriisa stings, but this team has adapted all year. The 44 missed games tell a story of resilience, not defeat. Against Troy, the Cats have the talent to win—if they can stay upright. A Sweet 16 run? That’ll take some luck, a lot of heart, and maybe a few ice packs. For now, Kentucky’s just happy to be dancing—and ready to prove the bruises don’t define them.