The next matchup in a slate of recent SEC matchups for the Tennessee Volunteers are the LSU Tigers.
However, lingering questions continue to arise on the status of Santiago Vescovi and Tyreke Key.
Vescovi is the Vols best 3-point shooter and leads the team in total points this year. He is a key piece to the Tennessee offense and will be needed more than ever as the Vols continue into conference play.
In regards to Vescovi, UT head coach Rick Barnes said in a press conference: “He [Vescovi] got fouled in the game against Kentucky. They yanked his shoulder… He tried to get ready, he just couldn’t pick it up the way he needed to.”
Vescovi is currently listed as questionable for the game against LSU on Saturday, and will likely remain a game-time decision.
Tyreke Key is another important piece to the Vols’ offense. Key leads the team in 3-point percentage and is an important role player in Rick Barnes’s system. He was unable to play on Tuesday night due to an illness. Key should be geared up and ready to go come game time on Saturday barring any unforeseen setbacks.
The Vols’ are coming of an 11-point victory over Mississippi State that saw Zakai Zeigler play all 40 minutes and contribute 24 points. Standout freshman forward Julian Phillips contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes of action.
The question that so obviously stands out is how Coach Barnes and company will navigate difficult terrain with a potentially short-handed squad. Players to keep an eye on; outside the obvious standouts, Forward Julian Phillips and Forward Josiah Jordan James. Seeing how the freshman standout can handle the scoring load will be interesting. I also chose “Triple J” because his stable veteran presence could be needed during stretches.
Tennessee basketball will battle the Tigers Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.
