The UNC basketball program is set to take on Kentucky in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Tuesday night. When the two teams take the floor in Lexington, the Wildcats aren't expected to be fully staffed.
Mark Pope provides two key injury updates
The Wildcats have been playing without two starting caliber players: Mo Dioubate and Jaland Lowe. It appears that the trend will continue, as Pope was on the record indicating that he doesn't expect either player to suit up on Tuesday night.
BREAKING: Mark Pope does not expect Kentucky to have Mo Dioubate or Jaland Lowe vs. North Carolinahttps://t.co/EDUET1AiwO pic.twitter.com/AZnVyQt1Yu
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 2, 2025
Dioubate injured his ankle in the team's loss to Michigan State and hasn't played since. Lowe, who Tar Heel fans are quite familiar with from his time at Pittsburgh, has been dealing with a shoulder injury, one that he suffered during the preseason and re-aggravated following the team's loss to Louisville on November 11.
Both players were important additions for Mark Pope and the Wildcats this offseason. Their absence has impacted Kentucky, especially against top-25 caliber competition.
What this means for UNC
Even if both players don't suit up on Tuesday night, this is still a very good Kentucky team. They have plenty of depth to work with and should still present a strong challenge for the UNC basketball program, as other Wildcats will continue to step up in the absence of both Dioubate and Lowe.
What UNC needs to do is simple: come out of the gate, play Carolina-style basketball and find a way to take control of the game early. Just because two key guys will be sidelined doesn't mean this team will be walked all over, as this roster, one of top-25 caliber, is one that has options to help fill the voids.
You can watch tonight's ACC/SEC Challenge matchup between North Carolina and Kentucky on ESPN. Tip-off in Lexington, Kentucky is scheduled for 9:30 PM EST.