Arkansas basketball's Karter Knox, D.J. Wagner doubtful to face LSU

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will likely be without guard D.J. Wagner and forward Karter Knox when the No. 21 Razorbacks visit LSU on Tuesday night, according to the SEC’s initial availability report.

Both players sat out Saturday’s 88-68 home victory over Mississippi State and are listed as doubtful for the 8 p.m. CT tip-off in Baton Rouge. Coach John Calipari said afterward that Knox is nursing a knee injury and Wagner is recovering from an ankle issue.

Knox, who has started 18 of Arkansas’ 23 games, averages 8.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. Wagner, a former starter who has come off the bench in the last four contests, contributes 7.4 points and 2.5 assists per outing.

Their absences would stretch a rotation that had already shrunk to eight scholarship players. Against Mississippi State, Calipari turned to freshman Isiah Sealy for 15 minutes; the Springdale native responded with six points and three blocks. Meleek Thomas and Trevon Brazile logged every minute, while Darius Acuff Jr. played 38.

A win over the Tigers (14-9, 2-8 SEC) would give Arkansas (17-6, 7-3) its third straight road victory. After Tuesday, the Razorbacks return to Bud Walton Arena for a Feb. 14 rematch with Auburn, which defeated them by 22 in early January.