Prince, Crews join injury list

Tennessee sophomore center Wayne Chism returned from Tuesday night's concussion to watch Wednesday's men's basketball practice and take shots in Thompson-Boling Arena.

Minutes before Chism arrived, sophomore transfer J.P. Prince hit the Pratt Pavilion floor during a loose ball scramble and suffered a gash just above his right eye.

Vols' sophomore Duke Crews was not there to see it happen; Crews suffered a turned ankle late in Tuesday's practice and was wearing a walking boot and using crutches.

"Things happen; practices are supposed to be tough right now,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "We've got a lot to learn. The intensity is there, but the execution is not.''

The Vols, ranked No. 7 in the USA Today/ESPN preseason top 25 poll of coaches, open the exhibition season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena against Division II California (Pa.). Approximately 2,000 tickets, priced at $5 apiece, remain available.

"I would say Wayne is doubtful for the exhibition,'' Pearl said. "We'll see how he does tomorrow (Thursday).''

Prince had a headache Wednesday and did not participate in the Thompson-Boling Arena shootaround but is not expected to miss any time. Crews will be evaluated day-to-day, but the injury is not considered to be serious.

Chism suffered his concussion after taking an elbow to the head and falling hard during a five-on-five scrimmage Tuesday. Chism was taken to the UT Medical Center emergency room after being knocked unconscious.

UT assistant coach Steve Forbes said the bumps and bruises are a result of the team getting after it.

"Anytime you have competition at positions on a daily basis, things can happen,'' Forbes said. "We have depth and we can still compete. Most of the guys are pretty resilient.

"The younger guys (freshmen Brian Williams and Cameron Tatum) have gotten more opportunities, and it's quickened their learning curve.''

Vols' senior Chris Lofton said he's noticed the difference in the team's intensity from past seasons.

"It's the same amount of scrimmaging, but there's more competition with the teams mixed up,'' Lofton said. "The practices have been harder because we've been running extra. If someone messes up on defense, or doesn't communicate, Coach (Pearl) lines us up and we run.''

First Shots: The team moved from the Pratt Pavilion to Thompson-Boling Arena to get their first shots under the $3.5 million scoreboard with black seats in the background.

"We'll see Friday night,'' Lofton said when asked if the renovations are condusive to good shooting.

Crazy Wayne: Chism was smiling and laughing as he hit 3-pointers during the shootaround. Chism even staged a pratfall when Steven Pearl playfully boxed him out at the 3-point line.

While Chism was smiling when he tumbled on the court, at least three players heads turned quickly, one of them saying in a serious tone: "Don't do that, Wayne.''

Chism's fall in Tuesday's practice will not soon be forgotten by his teammates, who all expressed relief upon seeing him back.

Chism, while not allowed to talk to the media because he didn't practice, clearly was trying to send the message to his teammates that he's feeling fine.

Ticket talk: The Vols have sold out their 16,000 season tickets and could set an exhibition-game record Friday night.

The attendance mark for an exhibition game at Thompson-Boling Arena is 18,503, set on Nov. 21, 1988, when the Vols beat the Soviet National Team 83-81.

Reserved seats are being sold for the two exhibition games. Previously, the tickets were general admission.