CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tennessee forward Darlinstone Dubar is expected to be available for the Vols’ matchup against Illinois on Saturday evening and is going through pregame warmups after missing their matchup against Miami earlier this week while in concussion protocol.
Dubar did not practice earlier in the week ahead of Tennessee‘s matchup against Miami but was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. However, Dubar did not do any team activities on Thursday making it uncertain as to whether he will play against the Fighting Illini despite being available.
The Hofstra transfer is averaging 4.3 points and three rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game. Dubar missed the Vols’ first four games of the season while dealing with a personal matter. But since returning to the court at the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas, Dubar has been a part of Tennessee’s rotation.
Dubar is currently Tennessee’s eighth man due to JP Estrella’s season-ending injury and wing Cam Carr’s thumb injury that has sidelined him for the Vols’ last four games.
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With Carr and Estrella out of the rotation, Dubar has played the majority of his minutes as a stretch power forward but is also capable of playing the three-spot in bigger lineups. A 6-foot-6 forward, Dubar averaged 17.8 points while shooting 40% from three-point range last season at Hofstra before transferring to Tennessee.
The Vols have mostly played a seven-man rotation with Jordan Gainey and Cade Phillips coming off the bench so far this season with Dubar played a limited role off the bench while available.
Tennessee is 1.5-point favorites against Illinois according to the FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 147.5 for what should be the Vols’ hardest task of non conference play.
Tipoff between the Vols and Fighting Illini is at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday evening. Jeff Levering and Robbie Hummel are on the call for Fox. Rocky Top Insider is on site and will have complete coverage of the matchup.
