Tennessee sophomore center Duke Crews is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
UT coach Bruce Pearl made the announcement Friday while in Nashville preparing for tonight’s 9:30 tip-off (TV: ESPNU) against Western Kentucky at the Sommet Center.
“The hardest part for us is just the psychological impact about how we all feel about Duke and the concern we have for his health,’’ Pearl said. “It’s going to be tough not having him out there. He has that toughness, and he brings us a level of confidence.’’
Crews’ condition was discovered via standard echocardiogram screening, which the UT medical staff provides all student-athletes.
“Further testing confirmed the result … He (Crews) will continue to undergo treatment, monitoring and further testing,’’ team physician Dr. Chris Klenck said in a UT release. “He will return to competition as soon as his condition allows.’’
It’s not the first setback this season for Crews, who is averaging 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Crews was suspended for 30 days on Sept. 26 for violations of team rules after a “minor” amount of marijuana was found during a search of his campus apartment. He was limited in early November by an ankle injury.
With Crews out, freshman Brian Williams will be asked to step up at center for the 12th-ranked Vols (8-1) against the Hilltopppers (7-2).
Crews started the past two games at center where he split time with fellow sophomore Wayne Chism, who is expected to regain starting duties.
“We’re not starting over, but we’re definitely a work in progress,’’ Pearl said. “We’ll just have to adjust on the fly.’’
Another big adjustment comes at small forward, where 6-foot-8 sophomore transfer J.P. Prince is expected to garner about 20 minutes of playing time.
JaJuan Smith likely will start at small forward, but once the substitutions begin, JaJuan Smith will play shooting guard as well as the wing.
Pearl said sophomore Josh Tabb, who has been battling a sprained ankle, has lost his place in the nine-man rotation.
“We’re a team that’s trying to find its chemistry, and yet we lead the NCAA in assists and are in the top 10 in steals and forcing turnovers,’’ Pearl said. “But against Western Kentucky, we have a great challenge. Our team understands that, and it understands the elevated intensity we’re going to play against.’’
The Hilltoppers have won at least 22 games each of the past three seasons and are favored to win the Sun Belt Conference this year.
“They have a first-round NBA draft pick in Courtney Lee,’’ Pearl said, referring to Western Kentucky’s 6-5 senior, who’s averaging 21.3 points per game. “We played one of our better games against them last year, shooting 57 percent, and it was still a very challenging contest.’’
The Vols prevailed, 93-79, but the game was much closer than the final score indicates as UT didn’t pull away until the latter stages.
The Hilltoppers return four of five starters from a unit that outrebounded the Vols 38-27 last season, and they have victories against Michigan and Nebraska this season while also taking Gonzaga down to the wire.
Pearl notes there’s a big difference between playing Western Kentucky in Nashville, as opposed to last year’s game in Knoxville.
“They’ve sold 4,000 tickets, and this is part of a doubleheader in Nashville,’’ Pearl said, noting the Memphis-Middle Tennessee State game kicks off tonight’s action. “We’ve played Murray State in this type of situation, along with Louisiana-Lafayette and Chattanooga. Just look what kind of games they were, and you know what to expect.
“Then, keep in mind this Western Kentucky team is better than any of those three teams were at the time we played them.’’
The Hilltoppers have 10 players averaging at least 14 minutes per game and have forced 20 or more turnovers in five of their nine games.
Big Orange Bus: The Big Orange Tipoff Club is sponsoring bus trips to away games beginning with next Saturday’s sold-out game in Cincinnati against Xavier at $125 per person. Limited space remains, but the club has future overnight trips planned for the men’s and women’s games at Columbia S.C. (Jan. 12-13) and the men’s game at Memphis (Feb. 23) that includes lodging. There is also a same-day bus trip to Athens, Ga., on Feb. 16. For more information, go to www.utfan.com/tipoff.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 42
juicetke#226846 writes:
This day just keeps getting better and better! Sarcasm!!!!
bshell12 writes:
best wishes duke
cmcfalls writes:
Way to stay classy juicetke.
That is unfortunate for Duke. Prayers for him...
eb502us#225637 writes:
Not good news but lets hope everything is all right with Duke so that he can resume his basketball career. I guess now we'll really see how far Brian Williams has come. I look forward to him stepping up and giving us a lift inside with rebounds and blocked shots, something that is sorely needed.
bigbluevol writes:
Good grief...this is one of the worst days UT has had in a while. Thank God that they give the players these echocardiograms. Duke, get well and if you can, rejoin the team as soon as possible. As for the effect on the basketball team, I imagine Brian Williams will definitely not be redshirting now. But, what really matters is Duke's health. Get well, we're praying for you!
juicetke#226846 writes:
Thanks cmcfalls! I included "sarcasm" in my comment for idiots like yourself that wouldn't be able to figure it out. I guess you missed that part.
I was merely commenting on all the bad news today with Cut leaving and possibly trooper and now this.
Get off your high horse. Your no better than anyone else.
Merry Christmas!
volguy#211935 writes:
Duke is the word of the day at UT and not for good reasons... Prayers and wishes to Duke Crews. Hopefully, he can come back from this, even if he never plays another minute of basketball.
dfreeman writes:
Yeah cmcfalls you may have jumped the gun a bit jumping on juicetk It wouldn't have taken a 3rd grade education to realize he meant that this was bad news!!
Romosexual88 writes:
You are in our prayers Duke. Hope to see you back on the court soon!
chrisw2967 writes:
prayers for the Duke , good thing they run tests like this on these kids.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
God bless you, Duke, no matter what. We all love you out here.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
you da man duke....stay strong bro'
cdldoc#211897 writes:
And here I am, wondering if he will play in the National Championship game with or without chin whiskers. Follow the medical advice and you will be OK Duke.
2000man writes:
Man, can this day get any (insert four letter word here)-ier.
volchiq writes:
I just saw the story on this the other night on WBIR with JaJuan Smith. I think UT is one of the few universities doing this. When I was watching the story I was hoping that it would be a waste of money. :(
Duke, I am sure you will be on the court in no time. Better safe than sorry. Take care and keep your head up!!
THE_VOL writes:
Posted by THE_VOL on December 14, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Now this one is for marcy and the rest on here who THINK Williams should get more time. You may well get your wish. Our rotation is about to take an unfortunate hit that only time will tell if it's short or long term...."
In this particular instance, I hate to be the one to say I told you so but....
Having known 3 individuals including 2 high school kids who died on the court from similar conditions, here's hoping all goes well and Duke can back on the court soon. But obviously his long term health is more important than hoops and hopefully he'll use this unfortunate situation to re-focus on school and his overall future.
sgtvols writes:
jeeze, what's next? betweem pat and pearl we're the walking dead.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Now, now sgtvol- Phil is only having light tremors and aingst over Cutcliff. All is well. Go Vols.
lnbadger320 writes:
will duke be able to redshirt?
GreerVol22 writes:
no chest bumps with Trooper...understood?
Get well and make as much lemonade as you can!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Dang; this kid sure is going on a rollercoaster.
Best wishes big fella. I hape ut releasss info taht is more specific, as long as it doesn't infringe on Duke's rights....just to quell rumors and bad info.
murrayvol writes:
When I saw the headline my first thought was about Hank Gathers of Loyola Marymount. I'm glad they diagnosed it and hope it's treatable to the point he can play again. Good luck and good health Duke.
MillisaAnn writes:
Duke Crews has my prayers,Get Better Soon!!!
Rockefeller writes:
Please take care Duke..You are in our prayers!
eduardo writes:
C'mon big guy get better quick. We sure miss your presence on the court. Use your toughness to get thru this!
jimbo37918 writes:
This is alot like Hank Gaithers man what a GREAT player he was as is Duke Crews I wish him the best and he will always be a true TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER GET WELL MY FRIEND
dfreeman writes:
Hang in there Duke!!
mickey9830#643278 writes:
juicetke come now if your truly a Tennessee fan we shouldn't be putting each other down like this.He was surely just giving you a compliment.Let us not be hating one another(thats players,coaches,fans and even the other side.)Merry Christmas to you and that is sincere.After all you cannot spell Christmas without our Saviors name CHRIST.May God truly enlighten you and Bless you.Praise his name and go Vols.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Wonder if the recent "Broken Hearts" article in Sports Illustrated's Dec 10 issue led to the screening that discovered a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)in Duke. For anyone interested, check out www.sportsillustratedcnn.com/2007/more/12/04/broken.hearts1210/
It's also interesting, for background, to google Reggie Lewis, Hank Gathers, and Len Bias to learn/remember more about reasons for concern for Duke Crews. Hope that he recovers and can return to play at his highest potential. Best wishes for his full and complete recovery. SAVol (the end of the SI article doesn't load here--it's 1210/
THE_VOL writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
txsvol#372416 writes:
www.sportsillustratedcnn.com/2007/more/12/04/broken.hearts/1210/
/1210/
txsvol#372416 writes:
This site simply won't list the SI article's link. If you get to the SI site, click archives for Dec 10, 2007, and you'll get there. I've repeated it three times trying to get correctly copied here. Of course, Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose, and Hank Gathers was thought to have IHSS (idiopathic hypertrophic sub aortic stenosis, and Reggie Lewis' cause of death is disputed. A coroner's signing of the death certificate as a adenoviral cardiomyopathy would preserve life insurance benefits, but flew in the face of the cardiologists' working diagnosis of three defects in the myocardium caused by cocaine, which he and family denied using. SAVol
Suttree6 writes:
"you're", not "your"
dewaynemac32 writes:
Why does everyone resort to name calling on a sports blog site. This article has nothing to do with Cut or anything basketball related. It is about a YOUNG man and a scary health situation. I think we should all pray that Duke recovers and can live a normal life with or without basketball. I know he'll be in my prayers daily. Go Vols!!!
ballewville6 writes:
i have been vol fan since i was 4 yeras old , but i remember watching gaithers hit the floor during the game and i was saddend for his death.but as txsvol said len bias died from doing way to much like in the movie blow pooring out half oz and cutting and snooting will bust you up.he killed him self i have no sorrow for bias.andthe facts are not as evident but reggie had definatly been using cock.but all the best out to you duke last year before the fla gamee my wife and i were down on the floor and you were nice enough to have your pic taken with each of us along with dane while the others were out shooting around ,best wishes in life and i hope your able to play again but your health and life are more important.bless all vol fans and lets beat wsku tonight
THE_VOL writes:
Well there's been a change in plans boys - with Duke being lost for the time being and thus post depth becoming an issue, BP has decided to stick with the match-up game and will in fact start 3 guards tonight against WKY's 3 guards. Yes that means Prince will NOT start as had been planned for the last week or so. Since I was the one that told you he would start just thought I'd let you know the plan has changed. And before anybody tries to take their shots at me please go read my ORIGINAL post on this subject as it certainly did say "barring unforeseen circumstances" and I do believe Duke's situation falls into that category.
budrhon writes:
Get well big guy!
budrhon writes:
Pulling out my Med Dictionary after reading Txsvol post. Laymans terms are still good to use occasionally. Regardless I wish Duke a speedy recovery.
Ironcity writes:
Chism needs to take a lesson from WIlliams and step up. Their three best players had four fouls with 10 minutes left. The game should not have been that close. That said a good win on a neutral site.
ballewville6 writes:
i agree big brian had a very solid game besides the freethrows,and wayne needs to step up last year against vandy i was at the game and wayne had agreat game and a very great 360 dunk loften needs to step up and chemistry is needed with the talent we have ,we better play better if we wont to win our next three xavier and gonzaga will hammer us like texas did if we continue the horrid freethrow and fg shooting.i think chis preseason hype has made him struggle along with falling back and the leg kick throwing him off balance.right now he isnt even the best player on our team let along the sec
andefromtn#212139 writes:
I am glad UT provides medical screenings to the athletes and that this problem was caught. It is far better than seeing a young man flat of his back during a game because of a heart attack. It is my hope that the doctors are able to treat Duke and that he is able to return to playing ball at UT but most of all I hope he is able to lead a normal healthy life. I'll keep you and your family in prayers.
dogboy writes:
Duke, God bless, get your degree. I hope it works out for you bud.
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