Tennessee junior wing J.P. Prince is expected to be out three to five weeks after suffering a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder in Tuesday’s practice.
UT coach Bruce Pearl said Thursday an MRI revealed Prince’s injury is similar to what caused him to undergo surgery on his left shoulder in April.
“It’s not as bad, and at this point we don’t believe it will require surgery,’’ Pearl said. “J.P. has always been a quick healer.’’
Prince’s injury will force the Vols to roll with a different lineup, Pearl said.
Sophomore Brian Williams likely will take over as the starting post, with Wayne Chism going to power forward and Tyler Smith down to the wing.
The moves will allow Pearl to move “swing’’ players — those who can play shooting guard and wing — to slide into the backcourt for more minutes.
Pearl said redshirt freshman Cameron Tatum could be back to play limited minutes against Division II Indianapolis on Monday in the 7:30 p.m. exhibition opener at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“The thing is, we’re already thin at the guard spot with Daniel (West) out,’’ said Pearl, who had Prince playing the point in support of starter Bobby Maze. “Now we’ll have some guys playing some different positions. In the long run, it will make us better.
“When J.P. gets back, we’ll reshuffle the deck.’’
West’s situation remains up in the air. West’s standardized test score has been challenged by the testing agency, rendering him academically ineligible until the test score can be validated.
West has re-taken the standardized test and UT is awaiting the results. If West doesn’t post a qualifying score, an appeals process is in place.
“The roster can only take so many hits,’’ Pearl said. “Our team will have to overcome some things.’’
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Comments » 37
blitzshoot writes:
Good grief!
robot22 writes:
This is going to hamper the Vols. Without Prince the backup PG position is going to be in jeopardy. The eligibility of West is up in the air. This will be an early season hurdle that the Vols will have to overcome. Other players are going to have to step their game up to a higher level. It will be interesting to see what happens.
utvol008 writes:
Not good news!
gohawks1 writes:
Ouch.
blitzshoot writes:
The old spice Classic in a month against some very good teams. I hope he is a quick healer. We need Prince.
Geez. Are we jinxed now or what?
Triton1 writes:
DANG!
OrangeRush writes:
Heal up JP and come back ready to kick some a** in conference play!!!!
wjr2b2 writes:
Get it scoped and come back strong ASAP.
blitzshoot writes:
Coach Pearl, Sounds like you have a plan already in place.
Can you coach football too.
ncvol writes:
Double ouch ! Hope everyone gets up to par, soon..
Go Vols !
utvolz#637682 writes:
This is where coach will earn that salary; replacing a veteran team with new folks, and making them play at different positions. Did I mention our schedule too?
In Pearl I Trust!
Frank (broadcasting live from Manchester, TN!)
Ironcity writes:
I loos like Prince is Snakebit. I don't think he will ever be healthy in season. Its to bad because when he is, he is a special player.
THE_VOL writes:
Hmmm..told ya this at 3:00 this afternoon. BP trying to protect his guy too cause he IS having surgery. This is going to be another all year saga like the other shoulder was last year. Looks like the Marquette game is the earliest he'll be back but really wouldn't expect him to get regular minutes before the first of the year. Freshmen came here to play so I guess we'll see what they're really made of now.
Pearl08 writes:
Outside of the Old Spice Classic the only top 25 team we play before Jan. 1st is Marquette when they come to Nashville. I say you do not force him back and make sure he is 100% for Kansas, Gonzaga, Memphis, and the SEC schedule. You can afford to give him some time. Heal fast J.P.
Orangefever writes:
cam tatum then all the way. I think hes better than prince anyway. PG-MAZE
SG-Scotty Hopson
SG-Cameron Tatum
SF-Tyler Smith
PF-Wayne Chism
Caspian writes:
How long does it take to grade Daniel West's freakin' test? I'll swear, I have absolutely no idea on earth why it is so dang difficult to figure out if someone has a passing score on an exam. Give it to me. I'll crank it out in 30 minutes.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Keep on female doging about Fulmer guys, and the curse may continue onto your precious basketball teams? What'd do then BIG SHOTS, want Pearl's resignation and Pat's TOO!!! Nothing like being thankful for what you've got is there? And then if all of UT's sports' tanks, where does that leave the News Sentinel Sports? With no readers!! Like the FOOTBALL STADIUM WITH NOTHING BUT EMPTY SEATS!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
the thing that sucks with west is he can't practice. why does an agency 'challenge' the test??
ah, hell, to be honest, I do NOT care if these guys are smart, just want them to play good ball. If they ARE smart, it is a bonus. Sorry, truth is a tough thing, eh??
b_neas writes:
he better be a quick healer because it seems he is always hurt. This will hurt depth a little early on but maybe be OK as it will give younger players a solid opportunity to develop!!
SemperVol writes:
This is the other shoulder than the one he hurt last year right?
tennesseePhatz writes:
I would hate for you to be the coach of someones kid. You sound like a use and abuse type person. The great news is nobody gives a shitt about what you think sore loser. Ball players go to school to get a degree also. Just a sad write up mparker!!!!
CoverOrange writes:
The_Vol proves his worth again with inside dope.
Things to consider: whether JP has surgery or walks around with a sling he probably is not working out (lifting, running) and therefore will not be in game shape when he comes back in mid-December. Similarly with West, when he is finally declared eligible he'll have to start the practice routine all over and still learn how to play with the rest of the team. Also with Tatum, don't know how much working out he will have been able to do with the knee issues.
I wouldn't be surprised if this team struggles alot through December.
bleed_orange writes:
We need Cameron to get better fast. Well, all this going on will make the line-up easier to figure out. I say try Tabb at some 2nd string PG. It couldn't help to have one more player that can play. If Bobby gets in foul trouble or worst-gets hurt, then we will right back where we were last year with out a PG. This is probally good for Woolridge, Negedu, and Jurick. They should get more minutes in the non-conference. We will really be leaning more on Tyler for scoring, rebounding, steals, blocks & assists(everything). Lets say MVP for Tyler. Maybe something like 18-22 pts, 8-12 RB, 5 or 6 assists, 2 or 3 stl a game. We will leave the blocks to Brian , Philip, & Emmanuel.
1Maze,2Hopson(&3),3Smith(&4),4Chism(&5),5Williams-6Tabb(1/2),7Woolridge(2/3),8Negedu(4),9Jurick(5).
For later games, we will have Cameron full stregth, JP, and hopefully Daniel back. I believe JP and Cameron are big keys, because they can play the 1,2, & 3. Of course I think Cameron is a natural 2 and JP a natural 3. But where ever we need them. GO VOLS!
jasonn1970 writes:
Not sure how much work Josh Tabb has had at PG. But I'm guessing he is the #2 PG now. Hopefully the young guys can get some experience early in the season while Prince heals.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
blow it, dude. Do you honestly think coaches go looking for poli-sci or engineering majors?? Do they review grades first, or adademic standing??
You are on my butt becasue I'm not a hypocrite?? Back off. These kids are given EVERY CHANCE to succed in school. If they do not use it, it's their call.
'Use and abuse'?? You are accusing me of abuse on a public chat site??
'no one givesa sh....'; Really?? I do indeed get comps on what I write. Do you??
'sore loser'?? wtf are you talking about?? get a grip on your mental train.
You have ZERO knowledge of how I coach kids, what I care about, or who I am. You just can't stand that I state in public what deep down virtually every fan knwos: we watch the players becasue they play the sprot well, play hard for 'our team', and are part of the 'large drama of sport', not because they are adademic geniuses.
In summary, I'd suggest you take a long look at yourself and the attacks you just made upon me. You've got some problems, bud, and one day You'll write the check you CANNOT cash.
bleed_orange writes:
I hope we are not this year's Alabama/Georiga with all the injuiries. Bobby, Scotty, Tyler,Wayne & Brian will all have to step it up to 30-35 minutes a game. I think Wayne and Brian can get alot better inside with more rebounds and more points in the paint. We will need Scotty to be the new Chris Lofton from 3 point land and Bobby to be Ramar,Jordan/Jajuan all rolled into one. Scotty can be a real match-up problem for 2 guards everywhere. Actually, TN can be a team of match-up problems if everybody is healthy and can play. Talent in starting line-up and full healthy talent on 2nd string=SEC Champs & possible final 4. GO VOLS!
bleed_orange writes:
I didn't spell check-Georgia not Georiga. Typing error.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
agreed. It will suck if Daneil cannot play. As it is, we are looking at him, Cameroan, and JP not practicing.
I've wondered as well about Tabb backing up at point. We suddenly look weak there, are years of having Jajuan, Chis, and Dane all being capable of running the team (to some degree), even when CJ or Ramar where down or out.
Mabye CBP will have an 'open tryout' for the student body....would NOT put it past him!!!
Ironcity writes:
I find it odd that Tabb has not been mentioned at the point since his freshman year before the season started. The only thing I can think is that Tabb just doesn't have what it takes to be a point guard (doesn't handle the ball well or pass well). If he did, I have to believe he would have played a lot last year and been talked up this year.
VolJunkie writes:
Look at the glass half-full side of this. Chism moves to the 4 spot, Williams starts at the post and Negedu probably gets time he would not otherwise have found backing up Williams. Tyler has a chance to show-off that jump shot on the wing ... not such a bad thing. Several others have noted that except for the Old Spice Classic over Thanksgiving, the schedule does not crank up until January. This will be a good chance for others to get some minutes and develop depth. It will be even better when JP comes back.
knoxlawvol writes:
He's definitely out. Just like he was out at the bar last night "healing." Doesn't matter, Tatum is a superior player anyways.
overatedvols writes:
Let's hope PJ gets well soon. We want no excuses when Memphis comes to town to inflict it's damage.
overatedvols writes:
AP poll is out. Memphis 13 and Tenn. 14.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
how you been doing, ov?? good to see you are in fine spirits...
wish to hell I could type, you know?? keep misspelling words.
good luck see you (the tigers) down the road.
THE_VOL writes:
Parker you just insist on proving your ignorance don't you? They've ALREADY had open tryouts - just as they do EVERY year - and at this moment the back-up PG is a walk-on that was selected from those tryouts. IF you knew anything you would also know that Tabb has ZERO PG skills. He's a great defender but that's about it which is why as a JR he continues to have FR come in and play in front of him. Maybe you should consult our old buddy MARCY_A*$ to learn who the "impact" players will be this year. LMFAO!!
FeelVol writes:
If my memory is correct Coach Pearl said Tabb could play some point when he was brought in as a Freshman but that never materialized wonder what other options we have now.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Larry Jonnson, aka the board troll...screw you. I don't live in the Knoxville area, so I'd know about open tryouts how??? Most any info I get is from this news site of watching games on the net or tv.
You can take all the delight you want in flaming people, but you come across as a gutless internet jerk, the kind who gets clocked in public for forgetting to hide the fact he's a complete dick.
So, take your lmfao and stick it, dude.
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