Working overtime on New Year's Eve didn't work to Cierra Burdick's benefit.
Tennessee's sophomore forward suffered a fractured bone — specifically the fourth metacarpal — in her right hand on Monday, said Jenny Moshak, UT's associate director of sports medicine. Burdick was in the gym, doing extra shooting and working on defense when the injury occurred. The team did not hold an official practice.
Evaluation of the injury is ongoing, and Burdick is out indefinitely. She will miss the Lady Vols' SEC women's basketball opener at No. 18 South Carolina (11-1) Thursday (TV: SportSouth, 9 p.m.).
The injury deprives No. 12 Tennessee (9-3) of a player who's started 11 of 12 games this season. The 6-foot-2 Burdick is the team's fourth-leading scorer at 8.8 points per game. She's third in rebounds per game at 6.5. She's had two double-doubles this season, including last Friday against Davidson (10 points, 10 rebounds).
"I feel for Cierra and I feel for this team," UT coach Holly Warlick said in a statement. "She's a vital part of our success, but this is a team sport, and somebody is just going to have to step up."
Senior Taber Spani is a candidate to replace Burdick in the starting lineup.
"It's a tough time (for the injury), as we're getting ready to head into SEC play, but we'll get her back," Warlick said. "We're going to have to deal with
it and stay positive."
Despite Burdick's injury, Tennessee's roster still will be nine players deep on Thursday. Guard Jasmine Phillips, who hasn't played since Nov. 25, will be available for duty.
Phillips was sidelined after the Alcorn State game to get her academics in order. The 5-10 sophomore returned to practice after the first semester ended but hadn't return to play. Regardless of Burdick's injury, Warlick had intended to bring back Phillips for Thursday's game.
"I think she's a great defender," Warlick said before Tuesday's team practice. "I think she's stayed in decent shape. Obviously, she's going to be a little rusty because she hasn't played in a while but from a defensive standpoint she'll give us a little extra bonus of somebody who can defend the basketball."
After shortening the bench a bit during last Sunday's win against Rutgers, Warlick said she was inclined to play the reserves more against South Carolina.
"I think it's going to be a physical game, very demanding as far as being in shape," Warlick said. "Yeah, I anticipate playing a lot of people."
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 17
BruisedOrange writes:
Will someone go deep into the bowels of the UTAD, find every last blood-etched pentagram hidden in the basement, and REMOVE them with Clorox, orange oil, club soda and holy water?
I'm tellin' ya... seems like every Vol program is snake-bit!
reg_mza#219136 writes:
Well that sucks. Get well soon CB.
Maybe some younger players will grow up and step up.
SoddyVol writes:
Hope Phillips keeps her studies in good shape. Like Pat, Holly insists on keeping academics in order. I don't know if Phillips feels she let the team down or not but they need her, especially with Carter already sidelined. Her lack of experience for the upcoming SC & Ga games is worrisome.
jt45 writes:
Seems like every year we have at least one out from injuries, already have two out this year.Burdick and Carter both out really hurts the Lady Vols.At least the LVs have some great bench players who might be able to step up and play well.
Wishing both a full and speedy recovery.
martic#220796 writes:
Both Jasmines and Spani need to step up. Jasmine Jones could be good but is hesitant and against Rutgers got beat on defense regularly same for Spani. Jasmine Phillips showed promise defensively in her brief appearance, she is virtually an unknown. Someone needs to pick it up and fast.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Dang we need her leadership. Is it on her shooting hand?
SoddyVol writes:
It's a big IF but if Spani has a hot hand Thursday, she can really help with shooting from outside. Otherwise, she is a fair, not real good player against teams like SC. Maybe we can see what Phillips will bring to the game. It would be great if she could step up big.
voloffaith writes:
Other article said right hand..............
madrigal writes:
Well, that bites! But every year it's something. Get well soon, Cierra!
r2d2 writes:
Injuries are part of women's basketball and all athletics. Someone one has to step up and relace Cierra. Either Taber or Jasmine Jones.
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
Those "unofficial" official workouts.
underthehill writes:
Burdick seemed to be taking the leadership role for the team and will be greatly missed..Kamiko has the talent to step in and help.. I can't see any other Lady Vol capable at this time...we'll soon see..
Theo writes:
On the bright side, (I'm really stretching here) - she can continue to be a leader, she is a super bright kid who I'm sure will learn a lot by observing from the bench and come out of this a wiser player. The two Jasmines will get a chance to show what they can do. With very limited views they seem to me to be kids who might need to have a few more minutes to get rid of nerves and really show what they can do. Kind of like Izzy last year seemed to me to put so much pressure on herself during her limited minutes that she wasn't at her best. Finally, Kamicko will probably pick up some minutes and she can be a fierce defender.
Okay so that was must best shot at the bright side.
I have a question - on the broadcast one of the announcers said that Jasmine????? was the most athletic kid on the team. I can't remember which one they said. Did anyone else catch that and if so which one did they say?
Thanks,
Theo
Volinflan writes:
They said that Jasmine Jones was the the most Atletic player on the team. I heard that and wondered who they were watching. Maybe, Graves wasn't on the the court. But I believe that Jones is going to be like Harrison and a true find in the rough amoung those "top ten players" on the recruiting services. I wonder how many "Number one recruits" have National Championship rings on thier fingers?
Still a bummer about Burdick!
ps11824 writes:
Not to worry, CB will still be the leader. Perhaps she will be able to push her teammates along from the sidelines. She seems to be that calibre player that will work like crazy to get back and in the meantime she will be the most valuable player on the bench.
Spani can get it done from the floor IF she will set her mind to defend with a passion. These kids will not shrink from adversity. Holly will kick it up a notch or two.
A win tonight will serve notice to the rest of the SEC The Lady Vols are a force to be reckoned with.
We have overcome "injury announcements" on a grand scale for decades now. We will again. This one is not a deal breaker.
vol4life1983 writes:
Jones is the most athletic player, graves just has more experience playing against elite competition, and williams is the best player when she wants to be. jones is just green rite now
johnlg00 writes:
Jones seems to have a lot of athletic potential, but she seems to be stumbling around the court much of the time right now. Maybe her game will smooth out when she gets more experience. One thing in her favor is that she seems not to be afraid to DO something with the ball whenever she gets it, even if the result isn't always what she or the team wants or needs. She also looks like a hard-nosed battler, and any team needs as many of those they can get.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.