'He'll come back strong': Rick Barnes updates Tennessee freshman Bishop Boswell's injury
Rick Barnes didn’t have a firm timetable for the return of Tennessee freshman guard Bishop Boswell, who didn’t play in the 82-64 win over Middle Tennessee State on Monday due to a right shoulder injury.
The best-case scenario, according to the head coach, is after the Christmas break.
“He’s been working really hard with his rehab,” Barnes said during his postgame press conference Monday night, “and we’re hoping maybe (when he) comes back from Christmas.”
The No. 1-ranked Vols (12-0) host Norfolk State (8-6) on Tuesday (3 p.m. Eastern Time, SEC Network+) at Food City Center, then open SEC play at home against Arkansas on January 4.
Tennessee down to nine scholarship players with Bishop Boswell out
Boswell injured his right shoulder midway through the second half of the 84-36 win over Western Carolina last week. He was seen after the game in a shoulder sling, but was not wearing the sling Monday night when he watched the MTSU game from the bench.
“I know he’ll do everything he needs to do while he’s there to rehab it and do that,” Barnes said. “He said he’s feeling better, but like I said, we’re playing the long game with him.
“We know we’re going to need him and once we get into SEC play, it’s really up to him once he gets comfortable.”
Boswell became a more necessary depth option at the end of the Tennessee bench after sophomore wing Cam Carr left the program on Monday, with intentions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
‘There is no doubt that Bishop is going to come back and be a big part of it’
The Vols entered the season with 11 scholarship players, out of a possible 13, and have already lost sophomore center JP Estrella for the season after he underwent foot surgery in November.
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Carr had also been sidelined the last month after undergoing thumb surgery in November. He had the cast removed last week and had been working in individual drills during recent open practices.
“We would have had 10 guys here,” Barnes said, referencing the roster had Carr stayed, “and we expected that we could use all 10 guys.”
Boswell has appeared in nine games this season, averaging 4.0 minutes off the bench. He’s averaging 0.6 points and 0.8 rebounds per game, with six assists, two steals and five turnovers.
He played a season-high eight minutes against Montana on November 13, had a season-high three assists against Austin Peay and three rebounds at Illinois.
“He’s made great strides,” Barnes said, “and I hate it for them, but he’ll come back stronger. His mental toughness and just his competitive spirit is something that, again, it’s going to serve him well. He’s a loyal kid. He wants to get it done and he’ll come back strong. There is no doubt that Bishop is going to come back and be a big part of it.”
