Arkansas Rolls Without Knox and Wagner, But Questions Linger Ahead of LSU Clash
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Even without two key rotation pieces, Arkansas didn’t miss a beat on Saturday. The No.
21 Razorbacks cruised to an 88-68 road win over Mississippi State, showing off their depth and resilience at Humphrey Coliseum. But while the scoreboard favored Arkansas, the absence of Karter Knox and D.J.
Wagner raises some questions heading into a pivotal SEC matchup at LSU.
Head coach John Calipari didn’t have a firm update postgame on either player’s status for Tuesday’s showdown in Baton Rouge, simply calling them “questionable.”
Knox sat out with a knee injury, while Wagner was sidelined by an ankle issue. For Knox, it was just the second game he’s missed all season - the other being the season opener back on November 3 against Southern. He also tweaked his hip in a loss to Auburn on January 10 but managed to gut it out and play in the next game against South Carolina.
Wagner, meanwhile, has been a steady presence since transferring to Arkansas ahead of last season. This was his first missed game due to injury in a Razorbacks uniform, though he did battle ankle issues during his freshman year at Kentucky.
Statistically, both players have carved out meaningful roles. Knox is averaging 8.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, typically slotting in as a starter. Wagner has transitioned into more of a bench role recently but still brings value with his 7.4 points and 2.5 assists per contest.
Calipari acknowledged the grind both players have been through and the physical toll it’s taken.
“I knew [Knox's] knee was bothering him,” Calipari said. “We were telling him, ‘Try to get yourself ready,’ DJ.
But again, here’s a guy that plays so hard, fights so hard, he can’t go at 80% the way he plays. He’s got to be healthy.”
That’s a telling quote. Wagner’s game is built on energy and aggression - the kind of style that doesn’t translate well when you’re trying to push through pain. And for a team with SEC title aspirations, rushing back key contributors before they’re fully ready could do more harm than good.
Still, Arkansas showed Saturday that it has the firepower to win even when shorthanded. But as the Razorbacks head into a tough road environment at LSU, the availability of Knox and Wagner could be a deciding factor - not just for that game, but for how this team navigates the back half of the conference schedule.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But one thing’s clear: Arkansas is deep, dangerous, and determined - even when not at full strength.