Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope offered injury updates on Jaland Lowe and Mo Dioubate ahead of the Wildcats’ Friday matchup with Gonzaga, and it’s a mixed bag to say the least.

First, the good news. Point guard Jaland Lowe is going to have a full-contact practice on Thursday to determine if he can play in Friday’s game vs. the Zags.

“We’re gonna see what happens (today). I don’t know (about Friday). We’ll see,” said Pope.

Not only is Mouhamed Dioubate out for Friday’s game, but Pope revealed the junior forward has a high ankle sprain. That’s typically an injury that can sideline players for 4-6 weeks, but Pope is hopeful Dioubate can return sooner than that.

“He’s got a high-ankle sprain. He’s doing good,” Pope stated. “Won’t be available tomorrow. There’s a chance maybe next week. We’ll see. These things sometimes can be weeks and weeks and weeks, so he’s doing everything he can to get back.”

Pope even revealed that there are torn ligaments involved.

“These high-ankle sprains are super painful, and it’s, without getting too specific, it’s just a torn ligament between the tibia and fibula.”

Yikes. It’s safe to wonder when we’ll end up seeing Dioubate again, but I would guess it won’t be next week when Kentucky hosts North Carolina Central and Indiana.

Lowe, who has been sidelined since suffering a shoulder injury during the Blue-White Scrimmage, briefly made progress before re-injuring the shoulder during practice on Thursday, Nov. 13, just one day before Kentucky’s matchup with Eastern Illinois. The guard has yet to return to the floor since the Louisville game, and Pope has continuously emphasized that the staff is being cautious with his recovery.

Dioubate, meanwhile, went down late in the second half against Michigan State on Tuesday, Nov. 18, suffering what Pope initially described as an ankle injury. The forward has been one of Kentucky’s most energetic contributors early in the season, making his absence felt on both ends of the floor.

Here’s to hoping that we’ll somehow see Kentucky have a full roster this season, but don’t get your hopes up on it happening soon.