New Headline: Mark Pope Skeptical of Quaintance's Elite Showdown in NCAA Semis

Jan 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Jayden Quaintance (21) congratulates guard Jaland Lowe (15) during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images The Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up for their NCAA Tournament run as they’ll be headed to St. Louis to face No.

10 seed Santa Clara. The Wildcats have been struggling a bit with the depth on their roster towards the end of the season, and it looks like that will continue. Wildcats big man Jayden Quaintance, who hasn’t played since January 7, will not be active for the first weekend of the tournament, per Mark Pope.

Quaintance has been reported to be heading in the right direction regarding his injury, but Pope says he’s still not ready to hit the court. During his Monday radio show, Pope didn’t officially rule Quaintance out for the whole weekend, but this is what he said regarding the 6-foot-10, Ohio native. “JQ is making progress, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to cross the finish line before this weekend.

” Quantaince averaged five points and five rebounds in 16. 5 minutes a game in just four outings in a Wildcats jersey, with his best game of the season coming against St. John’s, where he had a near double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds in just 17 minutes on the floor.