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