Kentucky Basketball Rules Out Jayden Quaintance Ahead of Texas Matchup

Kentucky will once again take the court without freshman forward Jayden Quaintance as they face Texas in a high-stakes SEC matchup.

Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance to Miss Fourth Straight Game vs. Texas

LEXINGTON - Kentucky will once again be without sophomore forward Jayden Quaintance as the Wildcats get set to host Texas at Rupp Arena.

Head coach Mark Pope confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Quaintance won’t be available for tonight’s showdown against the Longhorns, a detail later echoed in the SEC’s official availability report.

This marks the fourth consecutive game Quaintance has missed since his last appearance on January 7, when he logged 18 minutes in a 73-68 home loss to Missouri. Since then, Kentucky has handled business without him, stringing together three straight wins - a home victory over Mississippi State and road wins at LSU and Tennessee.

While Pope hasn’t provided a specific timeline for Quaintance’s return, his absence continues to be a notable storyline for a Kentucky team that’s been finding ways to win despite being down a key rotation player. Quaintance’s athleticism and frontcourt presence have been missed, but the Wildcats have shown impressive depth, particularly in how they’ve rebounded and defended in his absence.

Tipoff and Broadcast Info

Tonight’s game between Kentucky and Texas is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET tip at Rupp Arena and will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network. Fans can stream the game via the WatchESPN app or through streaming platforms like Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial for new users.

Betting Lines

According to DraftKings, Kentucky enters the matchup as a 7.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 151.5 points, with the Wildcats listed at -310 on the moneyline and Texas at +250. It’s a line that reflects Kentucky’s recent momentum - and perhaps the home-court edge at Rupp - even with Quaintance still sidelined.

Radio Broadcast

For those tuning in on the radio, Tom Leach and Jack Givens will be on the call for the UK Sports Network. The game will be broadcast on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington. Fans can also stream the radio broadcast online through UKAthletics.com.

As Kentucky looks to extend its win streak and continue building momentum in SEC play, they’ll do so once more without one of their most promising young forwards. But if the last three games are any indication, this group is figuring out how to adjust - and win - even when not at full strength.