Tennessee Basketball Center On Injury Report Ahead Of LSU Game

Tennessee basketball center Felix Okpara is “probable” for the Vols’ matchup against LSU with a left knee injury according to the SEC Availability Report.

Okpara has battled a left foot injury in recent weeks and was questionable for Tennessee’s game against Texas A&M with the injury before totaling four points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes in the win.

This knee injury in separate from the foot/ankle injury that’s limited him as of late. Okpara was a participant for most of Tennessee’s practice on Monday but exited practice and did not return after suffering a knee injury midway through it.

Okpara has started all 27 games for Tennessee this season and is averaging 7.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. The 6-foot-11 center is one of the best rim defenders in the country and is a strong lob threat for Zakai Zeigler and the Vols’ offense on the other end of the court.

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Tennessee’s front court is already thin after backup center JP Estrella underwent season ending foot surgery back in November. Okpara is the top member of Tennessee’s front line with sophomore Cade Phillips serving as his backup.

If Okpara were unable to go against LSU then Phillips would see a major increase in minutes with Igor Milicic Jr and Darlinstone Dubar also potentially serving as other center options for the Vols.

Tennessee is 10.5-point favorites against LSU according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is 137.5. KenPom predicts Tennessee to earn a 72-61 victory over the Bayou Bengals.

Tipoff between Tennessee and LSU is at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Tom Hart, Dane Bradshaw and Alyssa Lang are on the call for the SEC Network.