P.J. Washington made BBN’s heart beat a little faster prior to the start of the Abilene Christian game.

Washington showed up to the area with a hard cast on his left foot. He was already ruled out of the game with a sprained foot, but the hard cast was a new twist just in time for the NCAA Tournament.

Matt Stone, a photographer for the Courier-Journal, captured this photo of Washington rolling into VyStar Memorial Arena.

Following the game, Calipari was obviously asked about Washington’s status and the decision for the hard cast.

“First of all, the option was a boot or the cast,” Calipari said after the game. “The cast would speed up the healing so we said put the cast on. Whether they’ll take it off tomorrow to check, I don’t know. If they don’t, he won’t play Saturday, and they’ll probably try to take it off Tuesday or Wednesday of next week to see how his foot feels.

“Everything was negative as far as the X-Rays, but they just want — it was a sprained foot so they just want to keep it calm. That’s what it is.”

Although Calipari didn’t tell the media Washington would miss Saturday’s game, he apparently told ESPN he would, per John Clay.

Kentucky didn’t need Washington against Abilene Christian, but as the competition gets tougher, Washington will certainly be needed. As it stands right now, it’s unlikely he’ll play Saturday in the second round.

The Wildcats will play the winner of Wofford or Seton Hall Saturday.