Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance Out Again as Wildcats Prepare for SEC Clash at Tennessee
Kentucky will once again be without sophomore forward Jayden Quaintance when the Wildcats hit the road to face Tennessee in a pivotal SEC showdown on Saturday. This marks the third straight game Quaintance will miss, as he remains sidelined since Kentucky’s January 7 loss to Missouri.
The 6-foot-11, 255-pound forward was officially ruled out on Friday evening, according to the SEC’s availability report. While Kentucky has managed to string together back-to-back wins over Mississippi State and LSU in his absence, the frontcourt rotation continues to adjust without one of its most physically imposing presences.
Quaintance last saw action in that January 7 matchup against Missouri, a 73-68 loss at Rupp Arena. He started the game and logged 18 minutes, but struggled to make a significant impact.
His stat line included just one point, one assist, one steal, one block, and four rebounds. Fouls and turnovers also hampered his night - he committed four fouls and turned the ball over twice, never quite finding a rhythm on either end of the floor.
While his numbers in that game don’t jump off the page, Quaintance’s absence still leaves a notable void for Kentucky, particularly on the defensive end and on the glass. His size and mobility give the Wildcats a different look in the paint, and with SEC play heating up, his return will be something to monitor closely.
Game Day Details: Kentucky at Tennessee
Tip-off between Kentucky and Tennessee is set for noon ET at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with streaming available through WatchESPN and services like Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial for new users.
Betting Outlook
Heading into the matchup, Kentucky enters as a 5.5-point underdog according to DraftKings. The over/under is set at 147.5 points, with the moneyline listing Kentucky at +225 and Tennessee at -278. With both teams looking to solidify their standings in the SEC, expect a high-energy contest with plenty of implications for the conference race.
Radio Broadcast Information
Fans looking to tune in via radio can catch the call from Tom Leach and Jack “Goose” Givens on the UK Sports Network. The broadcast will air on 840 AM in Louisville, and on both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington. Streaming audio is also available through UKAthletics.com.
As Kentucky continues to navigate SEC play without one of its key bigs, all eyes will be on how the Wildcats handle the physicality and tempo of a talented Tennessee squad.