Tennessee's Nate Ament Expected to Play vs. Auburn in SEC Tournament

But his playing time may be limited due to a recent leg injury.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:51pm

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Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament is expected to play against Auburn in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Ament has missed the Volunteers' last two games due to a leg injury sustained against Alabama last month. While he is listed as questionable, the expectation is that Ament will see the court, though his minutes may be limited.

Why it matters

Ament is one of Tennessee's top scorers, averaging 17.4 points per game. His potential return is a welcome development for the fifth-seeded Volunteers as they look to make a deep run in the SEC Tournament and secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

The details

Ament was injured while diving for a loose ball against Alabama, landing awkwardly and sustaining a leg injury. He has missed Tennessee's last two games as a result. While he is expected to play against Auburn, there is no certainty about how many minutes he will see, as the Volunteers look to manage his recovery and availability.

  • Ament was injured against Alabama last month.
  • He has missed Tennessee's last two games.
  • The SEC Tournament quarterfinal against Auburn is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Nate Ament

A freshman forward for the Tennessee Volunteers, Ament is the team's leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game.

Pete Thamel

An ESPN reporter who reported on Ament's expected return to play against Auburn in the SEC Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“He's listed as questionable. There's no certainty how many minutes he'll go, but the expectation now is that he'll play.”

— Pete Thamel, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Ament's potential return is a significant development for Tennessee, as he is a key contributor to the team's offense. However, the Volunteers will likely take a cautious approach with his playing time to ensure he is fully recovered and can contribute effectively in the postseason.