Tennessee basketball faces a setback ahead of its game against Mississippi State on Wednesday evening, as freshman guard Clarence Massamba will be sidelined with a right hip injury. Massamba is the only player listed as unavailable on the Vols’ initial SEC Availability Report released Tuesday night, just a day before the match at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.
Currently, Tennessee holds a record of 16-7, with a 6-4 mark in the Southeastern Conference, while Mississippi State stands at 11-12 overall and 3-7 in league play. The two teams are set to tip off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
The Vols are aiming to rebound from a narrow 74-71 defeat against Kentucky that recently halted their four-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Mississippi State has struggled, having lost seven of its last eight games after starting strong with a 2-0 record in SEC competition.
Tennessee’s availability report showcases some encouraging news, as both freshman guard Troy Henderson and senior guard Amaree Abram were previously removed from the list of unavailable players. While Henderson has endured shoulder issues and missed games against Alabama and Georgia, he made a return against Auburn. Abram, who missed the win over Ole Miss due to illness, was back in action against Kentucky but did not see any playing time. Senior center Felix Okpara was a game-time decision against Kentucky but contributed off the bench with two points and three rebounds.
Massamba, a 6-foot-5 guard from Paris, France, has participated in nine games this season, where he has logged a total of 38 minutes. He played his most significant role during the win over Gardner-Webb on December 21, where he recorded a season-high of 14 minutes of play and managed to score three points in a prior victory against Northern Kentucky.
Historically, Tennessee has dominated the series against Mississippi State, leading 91-46 since 1924. However, Mississippi State has claimed victory in two of the last three matchups, including a win in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals last season and another earlier in the ongoing season. In contrast, Tennessee secured a win at home last year and last triumphed at Mississippi State in January 2023.
Under the leadership of head coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee has performed well against the Bulldogs, boasting a 15-4 overall record, while Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans holds a 2-2 record in matchups against the Vols.
This matchup not only holds significance in terms of conference standings but also presents an opportunity for Tennessee to reclaim their momentum in the season.