Some Tigers hurting

• By GARY LANEY
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jan 27, 2009 - UPDATED: 6:52 a.m.

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Ever since Garrett Green — remember him? — was shut down for the season in early December because of a back problem that dated to preseason, LSU has been able to avoid the ugly “I” word pretty much altogether.

On Monday, however, coach Trent Johnson brought up a few bumps and bruises as the Tigers prepare to visit Tennessee Wednesday.

It was nothing too alarming, but enough for Johnson to question the availability of one of his top reserves for the Tennessee game.

“We’re a little banged up right now,” Johnson said. “Actually (forward) Quintin Thornton is having a little problem with his Achilles (tendon) and it’s going to be day-to-day in terms of whether he’ll make the trip. Garrett Temple has had a little problem with his ankle.”

That’s two of the seven players who have seen the bulk of the minutes for LSU lately, meaning …

“Obviously, there are several guys, several freshmen, who have not played multiple minutes and I fully expect them to have an opportunity to step in and play and try to get back to playing at a high level,” Johnson said.

Several reserves who were playing substantial minutes early have drifted to more limited roles lately. Forward Storm Warren, who stands to gain minutes if Quintin Thornton is limited. Guards Chris Bass and Alex Farrer, neither of whom played for the first time all season in Saturday’s 80-70 loss to Xavier, could see more time at guard if Temple is limited.

However, LSU players said the banged-up Tigers will be ready to go in Knoxville.

“I had treatment twice today and I expect to be on the court (Tuesday for practice),” said Temple, who described his injury as a hip muscle and not an ankle. “But I wouldn’t miss this game for anything.”

As for Thornton, his teammates noted that he did not practice, but their body language said they don’t expect their top off-the-bench big man to miss the trip.

So far this season, the Tigers have enjoyed a remarkable run of consistency with its lineups. LSU has started the same starting five — Temple, Mitchell, center Chris Johnson and guards Bo Spencer and Marcus Thornton — in every game. There have been few injury issues. Spencer has struggled with a shoulder injury suffered Dec. 17 against Nicholls State and Marcus Thornton has been hampered at times by a toe injury.

More rebounds, fewer points