DETROIT, Mich. — Tennessee shooting guard Santiago Vescovi is not practicing with the Vols during their Thursday afternoon shoot around at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Vescovi is with the team and sat on the bench during the practice as he battles an illness. Tennessee anticipates Vescovi being able to play against Creighton on Friday night.
“He’s just under the weather a little bit, but we expect him to be ready,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said on Thursday.
The super senior shooting guard has started all 34 games this season where he’s averaging 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.
A two-time All-SEC selection, Vescovi has struggled to find his shooting stroke this season and is shooting a career worst 33% from three-point range including four-of-21 three-point shooting during the Vols’ six games in March.
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Despite struggling with his three-point shot this season, Vescovi has still been a key piece to the Vols’ success this season. He’s second on Tennessee in assists and third on the team in steals. Recording three steals in Tennessee’s win over Texas, Vescovi is now the Vols’ program steal leader.
Against Creighton’s three-headed offensive monster, Vescovi would likely begin the game defending 6-foot-4 shooting guard Trey Alexander. The junior guard is averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game whil shooting a solid 45% shooting from the field and 35% from three-point range.
If Vescovi’s minutes are limited against Creighton, both Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack will step up and play more minutes.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Creighton is at approximately 10:15 p.m. ET on Friday night. TBS and truTV are broadcasting the game.
