Tennessee basketball listed center Felix Okpara as “probable” on the SEC Availability Report ahead of its top 15 showdown at Kentucky on Monday night.
Okpara suffered a left ankle injury during Tennessee’s Monday afternoon practice open to the media and did not return to the court. With Tennessee listing Okpara as “probable” it appears the Vols avoided anything serious on the injury front though the center might not be fully healthy on Tuesday night.
The Ohio State transfer has started all 24 games for Tennessee this season where he’s averaging 7.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. After a slightly slow start to the season, Okpara has been better and more consistent in SEC play where he’s averaging 8.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
With just nine healthy scholarship players on roster, depth is an issue this season and the center spot is one of the thinnest spots on the team. Sophomore center JP Estrella is out for the season after undergoing foot surgery back in November.
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That leaves sophomore Cade Phillips as the only other center on Tennessee’s roster. If Okpara is unable to go, forward Igor Milicic Jr will be forced to play more center with Darlinstone Dubar and Jahmai Mashack also being short term options.
Tennessee is looking to avenge its 78-73 loss against Kentucky two weeks prior. The Wildcats earned their third straight win in Knoxville as Tennessee shot a horrid 11-of-45 from three-point range.
The Vols are one-point favorites over Kentucky according to the DraftKings Sportsbook with the over/under set at 148.5. KenPom predicts Tennessee to earn a 74-72 victory.
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Tipoff between Tennessee and Kentucky is at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Molly McGrath are on the call for ESPN.
