Tennessee basketball has listed redshirt sophomore power forward J.P. Estrella as doubtful for their upcoming game against Oklahoma, according to the SEC Availability Report released on Tuesday. Estrella is dealing with an undisclosed lower-body issue and was unable to participate in Tuesday’s open practice session.
The Vols, currently holding an impressive record of 18-7 with an 8-4 mark in the SEC, will face Oklahoma, who has a record of 13-12 and 3-9 in conference play. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday at the Food City Center, with an updated availability report expected at around 5 p.m. ET on game day.
Estrella has been a significant contributor this season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 61.6% from the field over 17.3 minutes each game. He has made seven starts out of his 23 appearances this year. The power forward has recently seen an uptick in playing time, logging 17 or more minutes in his last seven contests, including a career-high 35 minutes against Ole Miss on February 3.
This season, Estrella has missed two games due to injuries. He suffered a bone bruise in a victory over Rice on November 17, followed by an ankle sprain the following week in a loss to Kansas during the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. His last performance saw him score 16 points and grab nine rebounds during a 73-63 win against LSU.
In total, Estrella has become an asset to the Vols’ offensive gameplay, displayed by his shooting efficiency. Over Tennessee’s last two games, he has successfully converted 10 of 14 attempts from the field, totaling 28 points and 16 rebounds. However, he still faces challenges defensively, particularly regarding positioning and blocking out opponents, as noted by head coach Rick Barnes and assistant coach Gregg Polinsky. They emphasized the need for Estrella to enhance his defensive skills, despite his current progress.
Despite uncertainty surrounding his availability for the Oklahoma game, Estrella’s recent performances highlight his importance to the Vols and the positive direction in which he is heading as a player. The team, with its blend of talent and experience, remains focused on maintaining its competitive edge in the conference.