ATHENS, Ga. — Tennessee power forward Jaylen Carey is expected to be available for the Vols against Georgia Wednesday night barring a pregame setback, a source told RTI ahead of the matchup. The Vols originally listed Carey as “probable” on the Tuesday night availability report.
Tennessee will be down freshman point guard Troy Henderson for the second straight game with a left shoulder injury he suffered in practice last week.
Carey suffered a left knee injury in Tennessee basketball’s 78-73 win over Alabama on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. He was making a post move when he suffered the injury and was on the ground for nine seconds before the game’s next stoppage and Tennessee’s medical team helped him off the court. The junior power forward quickly went to the tunnel and did not return to the game.
More From RTI: Dalton Knecht Trade Rumors Continue To Swirl, Lakers Appearing to be Willing to Make a Trade
“He’s never been really one known to get hurt,” Tennessee assistant coach Amorrow Morgan said Tuesday. “This is his first time ever being out for an actual physical injury. So this is new for him as well. We were kind of optimistic just because of his build. But sometimes you just never know with those things. But we are super fired up and happy that he is okay and that he’s not going to have to miss a lot of time”
Carey has started two games but mostly come off the bench for Tennessee this season. The junior entered the game averaging 9.2 points and a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Before exiting with the injury, Carey totaled two points on one field goal attempt and five rebounds.
The 6-foot-8, 267-pound junior is the muscle in Tennessee’s front court and has, at times, been its best big man this season.
Georgia is currently 1.5-point favorite against Tennessee according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 157.5. KenPom predicts Georgia to earn an 80-79 victory. Tipoff between Tennessee and Georgia is at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night at Stegeman Coliseum. John Schriffen and Daymeon Fishback are on the call for the SEC Network.
