LSU receives injury updates ahead of Tennessee rematch

On January 8, LSU and Tennessee faced off for the first time this season. LSU walked away with a 79-67 victory. On Saturday night, LSU and Tennessee will face off again in a rematch. Ahead of the matchup, LSU has received some important injury update to two key contributors.

According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, forward Darius Days is likely to play, but guard Xavier Pinson‘s outlook isn’t as positive.

“LSU’s Darius Days (ankle) is probable for tonight’s game against Tennessee and should be able to play, per a school spokesman,” Rothstein said.

“Xavier Pinson (knee) remains OUT.”

Both Days and Pinson are very important players for LSU. Days averages 28.7 minutes, and is the Tigers’ second-leading scorer with 13.5 points per game. He also leads LSU with 7.3 rebounds per game, and is shooting 42.9 percent from the field.

Pinson averages 27.9 minutes, and is LSU’s third-leading scorer with 10.9 points per game. He is also averaging 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and leads the team with 4.6 assists per game.

Days rolled his ankle on Wednesday against Alabama. He went to the locker room immediately, and didn’t return in the second half. His status being probable against Tennessee is great news for LSU. Pinson has not played since January 8 against Tennessee.

How to watch LSU at Tennessee

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Network: ESPN

Location: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee

Odds

Tennessee opened as four-point favorites over LSU, but the line has since grown. As of 10:02 a.m. ET on Saturday, Tennessee is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, according to Vegas Insider.

ESPN prediction

ESPN uses its College Basketball Power Index (BPI) to predict games. BPI is a “measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward.”

ESPN BPI matchup quality: 90.9 (tied for second best on Saturday’s slate)

Predicted winner: Tennessee

Predicted point differential: 4.3

Win probability (for Tennessee): 64.9 percent