Tennessee striker John Fulkerson is out of the rest of the SEC tournament due to facial injuries suffered in Friday’s win in Florida, the school announced.
Fulkerson left Friday’s game after receiving two elbows from Florida boss Omar Payne, who was sent off.
“It was a dirty job,” Tennessee striker Yves Pons said Friday. “That has nothing to do on a basketball court. Of course, we took it personally. We love John. We played for him. We had our backs.”
Fulkerson, a 6-foot-9 senior who has started 55 games in the past two seasons, averages 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds this season. He scored 14 points and seven rebounds against Florida in the regular season finale, and scored eight points in 19 minutes against the Gators on Friday.
Rick Barnes could opt to go with a smaller lineup against Alabama on Saturday, with sophomore guard Josiah-Jordan James who could replace Fulkerson. James played 30 minutes against Florida on Friday, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists off the bench.