Will Sahvir Wheeler play against Providence? And injury updates on other Kentucky players.

Sahvir Wheeler expects to be back on the basketball court Friday night.

And it sounds like Kentucky will be at full strength for the first time in several weeks.

Wheeler spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time in weeks, and confirmed that he’ll be available to play in the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament opener against Providence on Friday.

“I’m super excited to be in this situation again — in the tournament, with my guys — and hopefully we do some great things,” Wheeler said.

The senior point guard has not played since Feb. 4 after injuring his ankle before UK’s loss to Arkansas on Feb. 7. He’s missed nine consecutive games during his time on the sidelines.

Wheeler said he practiced some leading up to the Southeastern Conference Tournament last week and participated in all three days of practice with the Wildcats this week.

“No matter if I played really well in practice, or even if I stunk it up in practice, I was just so happy to be out there with my guys and play the game I love,” he said. “... “I think I had some good moments. But I didn’t stink it up.”

UK Coach John Calipari said Thursday that he would have to feel that Wheeler is at “100 percent” before he plays him in the NCAA Tournament, but the veteran point guard gave every indication that he would be on the Greensboro Coliseum court Friday night against the Friars.

“At the end of the day, I’m willing to do whatever it takes for us to win,” Wheeler said. “Whether that’s playing. Whether that’s being the biggest cheerleader. Whether that’s sharing my knowledge — what I’m seeing — with my teammates. Whatever it takes for us to win, that’s what I’m willing to do.”

Wheeler, who has not met with the media while he’s been sidelined, was also asked about the public talking point that’s been circulating in recent weeks that he no longer wanted to play for the Wildcats this season after Cason Wallace became the starting point guard in January.

“That’s a narrative?” Wheeler asked with a big laugh, saying he’s not been on social media and hadn’t heard that people were saying that.

“I would hope they were able to watch my energy on the bench. I think that tells a lot,” he added. “That’s crazy that you say that — that it was a narrative. I love this program. I love this team. I love the coaches that I’m surrounded with every day. This is a kid’s dream to be at Kentucky. This is a kid’s dream to play at this level, play the games that I’ve been able to be a part of.”

Wheeler is averaging 7.7 points and 5.6 assists per game this season. He led the SEC in assists the past two seasons and was atop that leaderboard again this season before being sidelined with the ankle injury. Wheeler was also leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio before his injury.

Wallace, who missed the regular-season finale with an ankle injury and then played 37 minutes while hurt in UK’s loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament, said anything Wheeler could give this week would be helpful.

“Any break I can get, I want it,” Wallace said with a smile.

Kentucky injury update

Calipari said on Selection Sunday that he planned to institute a new rule stating that his players would have to practice all three days earlier in the week to play substantial minutes Friday night against Providence.

He mentioned Wheeler, Wallace, Jacob Toppin and CJ Fredrick had all missed practice time during SEC Tournament week and felt like the team was lacking an edge heading into the game against Vanderbilt.

All of those players confirmed to the Herald-Leader on Thursday afternoon that they had practiced each of the three previous days. And all four were on the court for the team’s open practice later Thursday.

Wallace, who injured his ankle in UK’s home finale, said he currently “way better than I did” compared to after the Vanderbilt game. He added he went all out during practice this week.

“Indeed. Every time I’m on the court, I give it my all,” Wallace said.

Fredrick suffered two cracked ribs against Florida on Feb. 4 and has missed considerable time since. He has played in UK’s past few games but remains limited.

“It’s awesome right now, because I’ve had some days off and some days to get rest,” he said. “The more rest and the more limited contact I can get with this really helps. I’m sure after the game Friday, it might not be great. But that’s just kind of where I’m at right now.”

Toppin suffered a hamstring injury before the SEC Tournament but still played 39 minutes in the loss to Vanderbilt. He said after the game that he was not injured and felt fine, but Calipari later made clear that Toppin knows not to make excuses after losses.

The senior forward grinned when those comments from Calipari were relayed back to him Thursday afternoon, nodding along in confirmation that he did not want to make excuses after a loss. Toppin said he participated fully in all three days of practice this week.

Asked how he felt going into Friday’s game, Toppin looked down and flashed that same grin.

“I feel great,” he said.