Tennessee basketball’s JP Estrella was a limited participant in the Vols’ Friday practice and he is questionable for the Vols’ matchup against No. 14 Illinois on Saturday night in Nashville.
Estrella was dressed out and warmed up for Friday’s practice and did some team activities. He also did individual work on the other side of the court, working on both post moves and jumpers.
It appears that Friday was Estrella’s first practice doing team activities since suffering the injury.
“No update to this point. So we just kind of, it’s day to day,” Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey said before practice Friday. “I thought he, although he didn’t practice yesterday, great spirits. Very vocal in practice and is moving around a little bit. So we’ll see. But regardless, we got to be ready with whoever comes out there and improve on that performance from the other day.”
Estrella is currently battling a right ankle injury that he suffered in Tennessee’s loss against Kansas in the Players Era Festival. The sophomore big man returned to the court in the Kansas game but the injury limited him in practice afterwards and sidelined him in the Vols’ loss against Syracuse earlier this week.
The 6-foot-11 big man has battled a number of injuries throughout his Tennessee career and early this season. The redshirt sophomore center missed Tennessee’s win over Tennessee State with a left knee bone bruise. The talented big man was able to return from the knee injury after missing just one game.
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Estrella has been a breakout star for Rick Barnes’ team early this season. Through seven games this season, Estrella is averaging 12 points and five rebounds per game helping give Tennessee an inside game that they’ve missed in recent seasons.
The good news for Tennessee is that they have strong depth inside. Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips are Tennessee’s starting front court while Jaylen Carey impressed off the bench in the Vols’ last three matchups against Houston, Kansas and Syracuse. DeWayne Brown also performed well in a career-high 22 minutes against Syracuse.
Okpara and Phillips both struggled against Syracuse, combining for just two points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes. The duo had a plus-minus of -21 while on the court together. Tennessee needs the duo to get back on the right track against Illinois.
Tennessee is 7-2 on the young season but has lost each of its last two games. The Vols lost two consecutive games just once last year and is looking to get back on the right track against a strong Illinois team. Tennessee has faced and defeated Illinois each of the last two seasons.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Illinois is at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena. ESPN is broadcasting the matchup.
