Jordan Gainey update: Major news emerges on Tennessee star vs. Auburn as he deals with illness

Ahead of Tennessee’s massive showdown with Auburn on Saturday, the Volunteers are dealing with questions surrounding star guard Jordan Gainey.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Gainey is dealing with flu-like symptoms, and the team has gone as far as to have the guard travel with the support staff, rather than on the the team bus, on the ride from the airport to the team hotel. However, he’s made progress, and will see if he can play during shootaround.

“Jordan Gainey has made progress and plans to go through shootaround, per a Tennessee spokesman,” Thamel posted on X. “That’s a step forward toward playing. He’s dealing with flu-like symptoms.”

Tennessee could certainly use Gainey against the top-ranked Tigers. He’s averaging 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game at the moment. It remains to be seen whether he can play inside Neville Arena, but there’s evidently some hope for the Volunteers star at the moment.

The excitement will be palpable for the game, as No. 1 Auburn (17-1, 5-0 SEC) enters Saturday night’s SEC showdown vs. No. 6 Tennessee (17-2, 4-2) at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN having won 10 straight since the Tigers’ lone loss this season, 84-78, vs. No. 9 Duke on Dec. 4.

More on Tennessee at Auburn

On the flip side of the coin, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl provided an injury update on star center Johni Broome ahead of the Tigers’ game against Tennessee Saturday night.

Pearl was asked on ESPN College GameDay Saturday morning if there is a chance that Johni Broome will be able to play against the Vols. He shared that there is definitely a chance.

“I think so. I think there’s a chance. Listen, he’s going to warm up. You know, you guys were at practice yesterday. He went yesterday, but he didn’t really push it,” Bruce Pearl said. “He wants to play. But if in warm ups he doesn’t feel good about it he’s not going to play. 

“But I’m guessing, with you guys here, with these [fans] here, Johni Broome is going to take [the court]. That’s my guess.”

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Broome has missed the past two games against Mississippi State and Georgia since suffering a significant ankle injury in the second half of the Tigers’ 66-63 win over South Carolina on Jan. 11. The talented big man went up for a rebound and landed on teammate Chaney Johnson’s foot, rolling his ankle in the process.

Broome scored 6 points with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks against the Gamecocks in 24 minutes prior to going down. Tahaad Pettiford led Auburn with 15 points against South Carolina, while Miles Kelly added 14.

Despite missing time, Broome still leads Auburn in five major statistical categories this season, averaging 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 blocks, and a team-high 27.4 minutes per game. The ankle sprain is the second injury Broome has suffered this season. He also had a shoulder injury late in non-conference play.

— On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this article.