Kentucky’s Alex Poythress Tears ACL, Out For Season

Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

We’re all aware of the dominance that the Kentucky Wildcats have displayed this season, with all the speculation that this team could go 40-0. They’ve already defeated then-ranked #5 Kansas by 32 and #6 Texas by 11. A big part of the dominance is the depth of this team, a team that goes 10 deep with the notorious platoon-system and 11th and 12th men in Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins that could easily be starters for other marquee teams.

Unfortunately, that depth took a big blow during yesterday’s practice, when junior forward and UK fan favorite Alex Poythress went down with a torn ACL. Poythress had been the starter at the three-spot in Kentucky’s ginormous lineup, and averaged 5.5 points 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20 minutes per game.

This injury likely will bring the end of John Calipari’s platoon-system. Freshman Trey Lyles will likely take Poythress’ spot in the starting five. Poythress was projected to be an early second round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft; now he is very likely to return for his senior season.