X-Rays negative for Amari Williams after knee scare; Mark Pope expecting a quick return

Kentucky rolled through its second exhibition game against Minnesota State Mankato with a final score of 98-67. While the game started sloppy, and both teams mounted up a good number of early turnovers, the Wildcats settled in and closed the half on a 21-3 run. There was much to like about the game, but there was one thing that was definitely not to like, and that was Amari Williams leaving early with an apparent knee injury.

Williams would return to the sidelines but never entered back in the game. There was some hope that he would just shake it off and find more minutes to start the second half. Especially when he was seen riding the exercise bike on the sidelines. However, Pope taking a cautionary route, put Brandon Garrison in to start the second half. There was concern that things could be not good for Williams and while the game got out of hand quickly, many were anxiously awaiting what head coach Mark Pope would say about his injury after the game.

The initial signs are good, and Pope sounded very hopeful that Williams would be back quickly. There will be a need to wait for a more conclusive answer on the MRI, but not finding anything on the X-ray is a great sign. Things are not fully in the clear, but it's looking like Pope kept him out of the rest of the game in a more pre-cautionary way.

While Brandon Garrison stepped in and dominated the game in the post, Williams is a necessary big to have healthy this season. He has shown he is a starter and is often the one to create the most inside-out looks for the three-point shooters while also being able to shoot that shot himself. He had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and one block in the first exhibition game.