Kentucky Basketball: When Will Terrence Jones Be Back to Full Strength?

Terrence Jones returned to Kentucky for his sophomore year to do two things—elevate his game and draft status and help the Wildcats make a run at the 2012 NCAA Championship.

Jones was having a solid season until he dislocated the pinky on his shooting hand (see photo) during UK's game against Chattanooga on Dec. 17.

The 6'9" power forward was held out of UK's next two games against Samford and Loyola (MD).

On Dec. 28th, he played 27 minutes against Lamar, scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds. And on New Year's Eve, Jones played 30 minutes, only scoring two points (on 1-of-9 shooting) with 11 rebounds.

The questions looking ahead are "When will Terrence Jones be back to full strength?" and "What will the impact be on the 'Cats' season if he doesn't come all the way back?"

A dislocation usually is "splinted for 3-6 weeks if the healing process goes well."

The problem for Jones is that it will be hard for the finger to completely heal while he continues to play.

And until it does, his shooting will most likely be effected.

If John Calipari has to look elsewhere for production at the power forward, Kyle Wiltjer will get the first look.

The 6'9" forward averages 7.1 ppg and 2.7 rpg while playing 15 minutes per game.

Wiltjer is a comparable shooter to Jones, but as of yet he is not Jones' equal on the boards.

The Wildcats have plenty of frontcourt talent in Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Darius Miller. They also could increase senior big man Eloy Vargas' minutes to help clog the middle and clean the glass.

Can Kentucky keep rolling with Jones at less than 100 percent? Sure.

Is UK a much better team with Terrence Jones in the lineup? Without a doubt.

Can the Wildcats make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and get back to the Final Four without No. 3? Hopefully, they won't have to find out.