Vols' Yves Pons expected to play vs. S. Carolina, will wear mask

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee coach Rick Barnes expects Yves Pons to return from a one-game absence to play against South Carolina. The coach says the reserve swingman will have to wear a mask.

Pons suffered a facial injury while colliding with a teammate during practice. Barnes said Monday that Pons still has a little bit of swelling and would probably need to wear the mask for the next couple of weeks.

Barnes said that Pons would be held out of contact Monday but should play Wednesday against the Gamecocks as long as the mask is ready by then.

Pons didn't play in a 73-61 triumph over Florida on Saturday that gave the top-ranked Volunteers (22-1, 10-0 SEC) their 18th straight victory.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore from France averages 3.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 15.7 minutes a game.