Tennessee starters Josiah-Jordan James and Julian Phillips are out for the Vols’ Saturday afternoon rematch with Kentucky. It’s the second consecutive game both have missed, elevating Jahmai Mashack and Jonas Aidoo into the starting lineup.
As the next true wing behind Phillips and James, Mashack’s role is much larger. While he scored 0 points, the sophomore shined against Alabama, limiting Crimson Tide star Brandon Miller and posting a team-best plus/minus.
James has missed Tennessee’s last two games after suffering a left ankle sprain in the final minute of the Vols’ road loss at Vanderbilt last week. The senior small forward has been plagued with injuries all season, missing eight of Tennessee’s first 14 games with a knee injury.
The versatile senior is averaging 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this season.
More From RTI: Everything To Know As Tennessee Prepares To Face Kentucky
Phillips is missing his second consecutive game with a hip flexer strain he suffered in Tennessee’s Friday practice before the Missouri game. The five-star freshman played 10 minutes in the first half against the Tigers, scoring four points before being unable to return due to the pain.
The freshman wing has been otherwise healthy this season, averaging nine points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Tennessee is looking for revenge from last month’s home loss against Kentucky and is looking to avoid its first two loss season to Kentucky since Rick Barnes arrived in Knoxville.
Tip-off between Tennessee and Kentucky is at 1 p.m. ET. Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery are on the call for CBS.
