Willie Cauley-Stein's status up in the air due to recurring knee injury

Willie Cauley-Stein has been a surprisingly effective player for UK this year, and he'll be key later this season. (US Presswire)

Willie Cauley-Stein, the Kentucky freshman big man who's had a bit of a breakout season, might not see the floor for the immediate future.

Cauley-Stein was hampered this week by an "old injury" to his left knee, according to the university, which added via a statement that Cauley-Stein underwent a "minor procedure" on that knee on Thursday. His status for Kentucky's Saturday road game against 8-8 Auburn is not yet known.

"Due to student privacy laws, no further details will be provided," the school said.

Cauley-Stein is a 7-footer averaging 7.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.

Injury news related to the 11-5 Wildcats extends to Twany Beckham, a senior guard who has been ruled out indefinitely due to a lower-back injury. On the bright side, junior guard Jon Hood returned to practice on Thursday after missing time due to illness.

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