Houston vs. Kentucky: 3 storylines for the Sweet 16 matchup

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Tyler Herro #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 02: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball in the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. Does PJ Washington play?

PJ Washington is a key for Kentucky. The sophomore forward is not only the Cats’ leading scorer with 14.8 points per game, but he is also the team’s leading rebounder (7.5) and swats 1.2 shots per contest as well. Washington is a key piece to the Kentucky interior defense that has allowed opponents to shoot just 43.6% on their two-point shots; only seven teams in basketball were better in the category.

Washington missed the first two games of the NCAA Tournament with a sprained foot, an injury that was apparently suffered against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. Washington was seen in a hard cast during the team’s first two games. The cast was removed on Tuesday and Washington was set to be evaluated ahead of the matchup on Friday.

Whether Washington is on the court is probably the biggest storyline heading into the game and it will have a huge effect on Kentucky going forward. As the ‘Cats face tougher competition, a healthy Washington makes Kentucky a Final Four and National Championship threat. If Washington is unable to go, the road will only get tougher for Kentucky, and that road could come to an abrupt dead end against Houston on Friday.

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