AROUND THE NATION

Kentucky point guard J.P. Blevins is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after breaking his right wrist, Coach Tubby Smith said Wednesday.

Blevins was injured Saturday on a layup attempt in the first half against Indiana. X-rays performed at the University of Kentucky Medical Center confirmed the fracture.

Reece Gaines scored 25 points to lead Louisville to a 94-77 win over visiting Eastern Kentucky in its final game before its showdown with Kentucky.

Bryant Northern had 12 and Erik Brown had 11 for the Cardinals (9-1), who visit the sixth-ranked Wildcats (7-2) on Saturday in Louisville coach Rick Pitino’s long-awaited return to Rupp Arena. Pitino coached Kentucky from 1989 to 1997.