The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The same hand injury that kept Jules Camara out of practice for a month has now vaulted him into Kentucky's starting lineup.

Junior guard Antwain Barbour broke the third metacarpal bone in his non-shooting left hand in practice on Sunday. He'll have surgery today and will miss five weeks.

The injury is identical to the one Camara suffered in his right hand in early October. He returned to practice on Nov.4.

Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said the 6-foot-11 Camara will make his first start of the season in today's home opener against High Point (2-1). Wildcats power forward Chuck Hayes will move to small forward.

Barbour, a junior-college transfer, had nine assists and four steals in Kentucky's three games in last week's Maui Invitational. He was one of the team's primary ball-handlers, but Smith said the 18th-ranked Wildcats (2-1) won't lose a step without him.

"We usually move it up and down the court," he said. "If there's a court there, we're going to move it up and down the court."

UK players say the loss of Barbour is big but not crippling.

"Antwain is an all-around player who brought a lot to the team, but you can't let your season stop there," said Wildcats junior guard Gerald Fitch. "You've got to look ahead, and we've got guys who can fill Antwain's spot. It basically comes down to if guys want to step up or not."

The 6-6 Hayes, often matched up with taller players, is looking forward to his role change.

"This is the opportunity I have to take advantage of," said Hayes, averaging 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

"It's unfortunate we have to lose a teammate for me to get to this point, but the time has come. Hopefully, I can do something with it."

What the Wildcats lose in speed and quickness, they gain in size. Camara will start alongside 6-9 Marquis Estill, and give Smith his biggest lineup.

Camara and Estill have 68 points, 35 rebounds and 12 blocked shots this season.

"They look for each other, they're big targets inside and we're better on the boards with them in there together," Smith said.

Kentucky struggled offensively in two exhibition games before routing Arizona State 82-65 in last week's opener. Shooting problems resurfaced in a 75-61 loss to Virginia, but the Wildcats rebounded with an 80-72 win over Gonzaga in the Hawaii tournament's consolation game.

The Wildcats are shooting 45 percent (81-of-180) from the field, but only 27 percent (15-of-55) from 3-point range.

Still, Smith said he was happy with the team's performance in Hawaii.

"After that debacle against Virginia, we cleared up our shot selection," Smith said. "This is a setback with Antwain, but we've got people like Josh Carrier and Kelenna Azubuike, along with Brandon Stockton and Bernard Cote. All those young players have proven they can step up in spot situations."

Today's game kicks off a rugged month for Kentucky.

The Wildcats play at No.12 North Carolina (5-0) on Saturday, at Tulane (3-2) on Dec.10, and have December games ahead against No.21 Michigan State (2-2), No.10 Indiana (4-0) and archrival Louisville (1-1) on Dec.28.

"It's going to be one of the toughest Decembers we've ever had," Smith said.

UK vs. High Point

Tipoff: 8 p.m. today, Rupp Arena (23,000), Lexington

Records: UK 2-1, High Point 2-1

Radio: WSAI-AM (1530)

TV: Ch. 64

Series: UK leads 1-0

Line: None

KENTUCKY

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Jules Camara	Sr.	6-11	11.0
Chuck Hayes	So.	6-6	6.3
Marquis Estill	Sr.	6-9	11.7
Keith Bogans	Sr.	6-5	16.7
Gerald Fitch	Jr.	6-3	12.0

Coach: Tubby Smith (134-44, sixth season; 258-106 overall)

HIGH POINT

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
D.Van Weerdhuizen	Sr.	6-6	15.0
Danny Gathings	So.	6-6	14.0
Kashawn Hampton	Sr.	6-8	8.0
Jeff Allen	Fr.	6-0	4.3
Matt Anderson	Fr.	6-0	5.7

Coach: Jerry Steele (472-424, 31st season; 623-498 overall)