Rick Barnes says Julian Phillips, Josiah-Jordan James are 'game day ready' decisions

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes could be without two of his team’s key players in Julian Phillips and Josiah-Jordan James for the Volunteers’ game against No. 1 Alabama on Wednesday. Phillips and James are dealing with injuries. James did not play in the team’s one-point loss to Missouri while Phillips played only 10 minutes.

Barnes said Monday they will be game-time decisions for Wednesday’s game.

“It’ll be Game Day ready,” Barnes said. “Won’t do much with them, either one of them today. Obviously let them try to get as healed as they possibly can, but if not whatever we have, we’ve got to get go play.”

If Philips is out, it could give a chance to Jahmai Mashack. He played 21 minutes against Missouri, which was the same amount he played in the previous four games combined.

“He did a great job Saturday just competing as hard as a person can compete,” Barnes said. “I thought BJ’s minutes were good as well. But I was really impressed with Julian. He was hurt. He had hurt his hip flexor prior to that but he tried…I can tell when we were walking off the floor at halftime, he was painfully hurtin’.

Julian Phillips, Josiah-Jordan James are key contributors to Tennessee

Julian Phillips and Josiah-Jordan James are both key players for the Volunteers, and their availability will play a crucial role against Alabama.

Phillips has started all 25 games he has played in this season, and is averaging 9.0 points per game and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman.

James has come off the bench for part of the season but started the last game he played against Vanderbilt. He averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

He talked after the Auburn game about the confidence he felt on the court during the game.

“I would just credit my preparation; credit the work that I put in before practice, after practice. Whether it’s making shots around the perimeter or just going form shooting, I feel like I can get to my spot. My teammates have given me the ultimate confidence when I get the ball within the arc to raise up above defenders. So it’s just the confidence thing that I have in myself and that my teammates give me,” James said.