Nate Ament Injury Update: 5-star freshman quickly calms worried Tennessee fans

Vols fans can rest easy tonight because it looks like Nate Ament is going to be a full go Sunday in Tennessee's second round game against Virginia. 

Ament, the five-star freshman that was named second-team All-SEC this season, has been fighting it with an assortment of lower-body ailments over the past couple of weeks. He was clearly banged up heading into Friday's game against Miami, Ohio, and left the contest early in the second half.

The good news is that Ament said he wanted to return, but Tennessee was rolling to an eventual 78-56 first-round win, so the Vols' medical staff stepped in.

"I did want to come back in the game after the eight-minute mark, but we were already up 20 and our athletic trainer and our strength coaches decided it was best for me to get started on the recovery process," Ament said.

Ament admitted that he felt a little uncomfortable after a few close outs and pulled himself from the game, but after moving around a bit in the tunnel, he felt like he could play.

Nate Ament will be ready for Virginia on Sunday

It's a credit to Ament that he was willing to tough it out, but with Tennessee beginning to put distance between itself and the Redhawks, the cooler heads in the program made the right decision. Now the star forward has a day to jump in the cold tub and get the treatment necessary to bang with Virginia's imposing front line. 

Ament averaged over 17 points per game this season and against the Redhawks he was held scoreless in 18 minutes, so it's clear he wasn't right from the beginning. However, he did play, and he probably didn't hurt himself any worse. Also, his teammates shined in his absence with Ja'Kobi Gillespie posting a game-high 20 points and JP Estrella going for 14 points and 10 boards. Ament should be able to do more on offense with the additional rest and the Vols are going to need it from him, but getting another big game from Gillespie wouldn't hurt either.