This erratic 2023–24 Kentucky basketball season has seen only 24 minutes of full strength play after 27 games. All of those occurred on February 13 during a home victory over Ole Miss, just before to fifth-year forward Tre Mitchell’s left shoulder injury early in the second half. Mitchell has now missed UK’s last three games due to that shoulder issue. He missed the two games prior to that Ole Miss match due to a back injury.

Mitchell was not involved in the Wildcats’ thrilling 117-95 victory over SEC-leading Alabama at home on Saturday. UK head coach John Calipari stated he didn’t think Mitchell would play against the Crimson Tide during the team’s pregame radio broadcast on Saturday. Mitchell is “still tender,” according to Calipari, and the decision to play or not against the Crimson Tide will be made during the game. The forward, a fifth year, didn’t play, though. Mitchell has now missed six straight games for UK. Mitchell was “making strides” in his recuperation, according to Calipari, who made this statement on UK’s pregame radio program prior to Kentucky’s Wednesday night road loss at LSU.
Additionally, the Kentucky coach hinted during that pregame radio chat that in order for Mitchell to play more physically when he does make a comeback to the UK lineup, he might need to “bring (Mitchell) along slower” in his injury rehabilitation process.