Tennessee Volunteers star freshman Nate Ament is expected to return from injury for Thursday's SEC tournament quarterfinal against Auburn, according to sources. The 6-foot-10 forward has missed the past two games after suffering a leg injury during a February 28 matchup against Alabama.

Ament, a projected top-10 NBA draft pick, is Tennessee's second-leading scorer and brings crucial versatility to the Volunteers' lineup. He's averaging 17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game this season. His return comes at a critical juncture as Tennessee, ranked No. 25, seeks to strengthen its NCAA tournament positioning.

The matchup carries significant implications for both teams. Auburn, sitting on the NCAA tournament bubble, could bolster its postseason case with a win, especially against a ranked opponent with Ament in the lineup. The Tigers previously faced Tennessee in a 77-69 Volunteers victory where Ament scored 22 points despite shooting struggles.