Tennessee could be without freshman guard Troy Henderson for Saturday night’s rivalry showdown against Alabama, as he’s officially listed as “questionable” with a left shoulder injury, according to the SEC Availability Report.
The timing of the injury is a bit of a mystery-there wasn’t any obvious moment during the Vols’ recent game against Kentucky where Henderson appeared to tweak anything. Still, he was only a partial participant in practice on Friday, though he did take part in some five-on-five drills, which at least leaves the door open for him to suit up in Tuscaloosa.
Notably, Henderson was wearing a shoulder brace that covered his entire left arm-similar to the one Cade Phillips wore earlier this season. That’s not the kind of accessory you throw on for precaution. It’s a sign Tennessee’s training staff is being careful with a player who’s become increasingly important to their rotation.
At 6-foot-1, Henderson’s stats don’t jump off the page-he’s averaging 2.5 points and 1.6 assists across 15 appearances-but those numbers don’t tell the full story. His role has grown in recent weeks, especially as he’s taken over backup point guard duties from Ethan Burg. That shift has given Tennessee a spark off the bench, and Henderson’s minutes have reflected that trust.
He played 22 minutes in the Vols’ win over Texas A&M, scoring eight points and showing poise in a tight contest. Even in a blowout loss at Florida, he made the most of limited time, dropping six points in just six minutes. Those are the kind of performances that build confidence-not just for the player, but for the coaching staff looking for steady hands in the second unit.
Both Tennessee and Alabama had the midweek off, giving them some extra prep time ahead of Saturday’s clash. For the Vols (12-6, 2-3 SEC), it’s a critical opportunity to reset after a tough home loss to Kentucky. They’re still searching for their first true road win of the season, and there’s no better place to get it than in a rivalry game with stakes.
Alabama, sitting at 13-5 (3-2 SEC), hasn’t exactly been dominant in conference play either, but they’ve pulled out close road wins over Mississippi State and Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide’s backcourt is one of the most dynamic in the country, led by Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, and Latrell Wrightsell. That trio can score in bunches and push the tempo, which makes them a nightmare in transition.
But for all their firepower on the perimeter, Alabama has struggled inside. Defensive rebounding has been a weak spot all year, and it’s cost them in a few key games. The return of Charles Bediako helps patch that hole, at least in the short term, but it’s still a soft spot Tennessee could look to exploit-especially if they can control the glass and slow the pace.
The betting lines reflect just how tight this one could be. Alabama is a 4.5-point favorite according to DraftKings, with the over/under set at a high-octane 166.5. KenPom projects a 85-80 win for the Crimson Tide, which tracks with what we’ve seen from both teams-high-scoring, fast-paced basketball with just enough defensive lapses to keep things interesting.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Coleman Coliseum, with Dave Neal and former Alabama forward Richard Hendrix on the call for ESPN. Whether or not Henderson is available, expect this one to have the intensity and unpredictability that defines SEC basketball in January.