Tennessee forwards Felix Okpara and JP Estrella are 'banged up, but getting through it'
Tennessee Basketball assistant coach Rod Clark on Friday morning described both Felix Okpara and JP Estrella have a “really good practice” on Thursday. That’s good news and bad news for the Vols.
Both of the Tennessee bigs are banged up. Okpara, the Ohio State transfer and starting center, has a hip pointer. Estrella, the 6-foot-11 sophomore forward, is dealing with an ankle issue.
In practice, it’s usually the two of them matching up against each other.
“Honestly, man, like those two guys,” Clark said, “it’s kind of a blessing and a curse that they go against each other every day because, I mean, they’re physical. They both go at each other. They both compete really hard. And some days, you’re just kind of watching two big strong men in the cage just going after each other, and it’s great.”
No. 7 Tennessee at Louisville, Saturday, Noon ET, ACC Network
No. 7 Tennessee (1-0) will need both bigs to be able to go at Louisville (1-0) on Saturday (Noon Eastern Time, ACC Network) at the KFC Yum! Center, as the Vols go on the road for their first test of the season.
Clark described both players as “banged up, but getting through it.”
“We’re helping them for the next game (in practice),” Clark said, “but kind of hope that they can dial it down some, but that’s just not how they play.”
Tennessee freshman guard Bishop Boswell (concussion) and Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar (personal matter) are both considered questionable for Saturday’s game.
“I know that both of them are really trying to get back as soon as possible,” Clark said. “But we are just trying to be supportive of them getting back in a timely manner.”
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‘They’re both getting back to feeling a little bit regular’
After going to Louisville on Saturday, the Vols return home for two games next week, against Montana on Wednesday and Austin Peay on Sunday. They then go to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Championship on November 21.
Estrella was nearly ruled out Monday afternoon for the 80-64 season-opening win over Gardner-Webb Monday night at the Food City Center. But he decided to try to play, coming off the bench to score four points and grab a couple rebounds in 11 minutes.
Okpara started and scored two points to go with a team-high nine rebounds in 25 minutes. He went 0-for-3 from the field.
“They’re both getting back to feeling a little bit regular,” Clark said. “I just talked to JP. He’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m a little sore, but I’m feeling good. I’m ready to go.’ So they’re both really excited, ready to play this weekend.”
