Tennessee basketball is taking a breather with a four-day break between the end of the regular season and the start of the SEC Tournament in Nashville. This pause couldn't come at a better time as three of their promising freshmen-Nate Ament, Amari Evans, and Troy Henderson-are dealing with injuries.
Ament's situation is the most concerning. He's been sidelined with a right leg injury affecting both his ankle and knee, missing the last two games. After the Vols' recent matchup against Vanderbilt, Coach Barnes expressed optimism about Ament's return for the SEC Tournament.
In a media session on Tuesday, Barnes was a bit more reserved but noted that Ament is gradually increasing his activity with the training staff.
“He’s okay. He did some more,” Barnes shared about Ament's progress.
“He’s been working with Chad (Newman) over the past few days, and I expect him to push a bit more today. We’ll see how he responds.”
Ament, a Second Team All-SEC selection, has been a powerhouse for the Vols, averaging 17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. His performance has been even more impressive in SEC play, with 19 points and six rebounds per game. His absence has been a significant challenge for Tennessee.
Stepping up in Ament’s absence, Amari Evans has shown promise. Against South Carolina, he contributed seven points, three rebounds, and three steals. He shined even brighter against Vanderbilt, scoring a career-high 24 points, along with six rebounds and three assists.
Unfortunately, Evans rolled his left ankle in the final minute of the Vanderbilt game and didn’t return. Barnes is hopeful about his recovery, mentioning that Evans is expected to practice soon.
“He’s nursing it,” Barnes said. “It’s still sore, but at this time of year, guys like Nate and him might not fully recover.
It’s about what they can tolerate and manage. They’re both committed to handling their recovery.”
Henderson, dealing with a persistent shoulder injury, won't practice Tuesday and is slated for surgery post-season. Despite this, he's determined to push through for the team.
All three-Ament, Evans, and Henderson-were involved in individual drills but avoided full team practice. They spent time on the Lady Vols court at Pratt Pavilion focusing on shooting drills. Ament was seen with a knee brace, but it was precautionary.
Tennessee is set to kick off their SEC Tournament run on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, facing the winner of the Auburn vs.
Mississippi State game. With their talented freshmen working through injuries, the Vols will be looking to make a strong showing.