Lofton likely out for Ole Miss

After that, Vols' coach Bruce Pearl said he really couldn't hazard a guess.

"We just don't know anything right now,'' Pearl said Sunday night. "The trainer thought it was a sprain, we told you that yesterday after the game. But until we get the x-rays (today), we just don't know.''

Pearl said he wouldn't necessarily use the word "optimistic,'' because Lofton's ankle was so swollen it was hard to diagnose much.

"Chris spent all day today in the training room,'' Pearl said. "We'll be bringing Chris some chicken soup and beef tenderloin my wife made tonight.''

Pearl, who saw Lofton on Sunday, said the SEC's leading scorer is taking a businesslike approach to the injury.

"He's handling this like he treats his game, seriously,'' Pearl said. "Chris will spend every second possible trying to get this better. He's on anti-inflammation medication, and he's been keeping it iced and elevated.

"His foot is in a boot when it's not being treated.''

Freshman Josh Tabb played 28 minutes Saturday in Lofton's absence and appears to be a likely option to get into the starting lineup at the wing spot. Junior JaJuan Smith, who normally plays wing, would move to Lofton's shooting guard position in that scenario.

Another possibility would be starting junior Jordan Howell at shooting guard in place of Lofton, though Howell is just coming off a broken bone in his hand that had sidelined him since Dec. 21. Howell played shooting guard against the Gamecocks after Lofton went out.

The game between Tennessee (14-5 overall, 2-2 SEC) and Ole Miss (12-7, 1-4) starts at 8 p.m. and will not be televised.