Could the Tennessee men’s basketball team be without a key starter in Saturday’s game against Mississippi State?
Tennessee freshman guard Josiah-Jordan James is questionable for the afternoon matchup at Mississippi State as he deals with a lingering groin injury, Volunteers coach Rick Barnes told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein on Saturday morning.
The 6-foot-6, 208-pound James has had some struggles offensively this season, but he has started all 20 games and has averaged 7.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest while shooting 37% from 3-point range and 82% from the free-throw line. Despite his struggles, he has been the team’s best perimeter defender and its second-best overall defender this season behind junior John Fulkerson, posting a defensive rating of 88.8. That figure ranks second among guards in the Southeastern Conference, behind Mason Jones of Arkansas, and fifth overall.
If he can’t go, it will be a major blow to a backcourt that has been a fluid situation all season. James and senior Jordan Bowden have been the lone constants there, with Lamonte Turner – who stepped away from basketball in December – and freshman Santiago Vescovi, who effectively replaced Turner, playing the third guard position. Freshman Davonte Gaines would be the likely replacement, but after that, things become unclear as to what the Vols (12-8, 4-3) would do with their rotation against the Bulldogs (13-7, 4-3).
Saturday’s game tips off at 2 Eastern at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.