Mar 5, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Here is a look at the Volunteers’ front court in our official men’s Tennessee basketball preview for the 2016-2017 season.
SEC Media Days for basketball is here, so it’s time to start previewing the season. And in his second year with Tennessee basketball, Rick Barnes is preparing to lead a very young team through the rigors of the SEC.
With a roster that includes nine newcomers, the Vols are projected to finish 13th out of 14 teams in the conference for the 2016-2017 season.
After losing his top two scorers and three of his top four players from last season, Barnes has a heck of a lot of work cut out for him.
In his tempo-based offense, most of Tennessee basketball would seem to revolve around the guard play.
However, Barnes’s system thrives with a solid front court and talented bigs. Just ask guys like Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge.
This year, Tennessee’s front court is faced with the huge task of replacing Armani Moore from last year. However, Barnes did score on the recruiting trail with two more solid pickups in that area, and he returns two very solid players who saw action as freshmen last year.
So the bodies are there, the experience just needs to come with it.
Here, we are going to take a look at what the depth chart will likely be for the Vols’ inside game this year and who will also see lots of action. This includes the projected starters, the projected backups who will still play a lot, and the projected reserves still on the roster.
Let’s begin with who we project will be the starters in the Tennessee basketball front court.
Jan 2, 2016; Logan, UT, USA; Utah State Aggies forward Lew Evans (12) defended by San Diego State Aztecs forward Zylan Cheatham (14) during the second half at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Aztecs won 70-67. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Basketball Front Court Projected Starters
Admiral Schofield; Sophomore; 6’4″ 238 pounds; Zion, Ill.
He’s not big, but he’s exactly the type of versatile guy Rick Barnes needs to run his system. Admiral Schofield emerged as a freshman last year backing up Armani Moore, and he is one of the top do-it-all players on the Vols.
He can play the point-forward position if needed, he is a very solid three-point shooter, and he is a dead-eye free throw shooter. As far as doing the things that forwards need to do, Schofield averaged four rebounds a game off the bench last year and seven and a half points. Barnes needs a player who can play big and stretch the floor for his system to work. Schofield does just that.
Lew Evans; Senior; 6’7″ 235 pounds; Salt Lake City, Utah
A transfer from Utah State, Barnes found his big man to play underneath the basket and complement Admiral Schofield in the starting lineup this year with Lew Evans. Evans is the perfect player for his system as well too. In addition to being the primary big under the basket, he can stretch the floor as well.
Last year, he shot over 35 percent from three-point range, over 71 percent from the free throw line, and he still played big with over five and a half rebounds a game despite only 21 minutes of action a game. His eight and a half points per game average could definitely increase despite playing on the bigger stage with bigger competition. Evans is a basketball veteran cut out for Barnes’s system, so he’ll likely win the starting job as the big underneath the basket.
Jan 30, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Kyle Alexander (11) dribbles as TCU Horned Frogs forward Chris Washburn (33) defends during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee basketball front court projected backups still likely to play
Kyle Alexander; Sophomore; 6’10” 218 pounds; Milton, Ontario
As a freshman, Kyle Alexander saw limited action through 32 games. He averaged about 12 minutes a game and under two points, but he also showed his size by averaging over three rebounds a game during that time. As the biggest guy on the roster, Alexander has a huge chance to provide Barnes with lots of mismatches.
And he’s athletic. He figures to see a lot more minutes this year, likely backing up Lew Evans as the main inside post player. With experience in the system, he should be able to have a pretty solid impact and develop even more.
Grant Williams; Freshman; 6’5″ 234 pounds; Charlotte, N.C.
Grant Williams was a three-star recruit pretty much across the board and has a ton of potential. And Rick Barnes has already hinted at him as a possible Tennessee basketball freshman starter. We aren’t going to go that far here, but Williams is definitely in the running. As one of those versatile players who could play outside or inside, this is the exact type of guy Barnes loves in his system.
He is already the perfect size to back up Admiral Schofield as the high post guy who could potentially play point-forward, and he could back up Schofield or Lew Evans. Right now, we’re sticking with the veteran leadership in both spots, but don’t count out this guy to be a threat in the long run.
Feb 2, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee basketball front court projected reserves likely to be limited
Jalen Johnson; Freshman; 6’5″ 177 pounds; Durham, N.C.
He was recruited as a shooting guard, but Jalen Johnson will likely convert to a wing player with Barnes running thin at that position this year. However, as the odd man out, his action will be limited this year. He’s still versatile enough though to likely avoid taking a redshirt, though. Johnson also did achieve a national ranking in recruiting as well, even as another three-star. So while he won’t see a lot of action, his unique position allows him to spell either a guard or a forward.
If he can put on some weight, Johnson could compete to back up Admiral Schofield and be a very solid stretch player. At the same time, he has impressive hops and should be a great player around the rim. He also has decent passing abilities, so if he can develop, he’s the perfect wing player to play for Rick Barnes.
John Fulkerson; Freshman; 6’7″ 203 pounds; Kingsport, Tenn.
Rick Barnes secured a Tennessee guy in John Fulkerson, and he will be coming home to play basketball. Fulkerson likely developed some spending his last couple of years playing North Carolina basketball, however, which should be good news for Tennessee basketball. This is a guy who clearly wants to be a Vol, and that spells good news long-term.
However, Fulkerson’s style of play requires him to bulk up. Rick Barnes has said that he’s the type of guy who loves to do dirty work, and with the guys already in the program, he’ll be limited in what he can do when he only weighs 204 pounds. Fulkerson will likely take a redshirt this year to get bigger and have more of an impact down the road. But he’s still a solid pickup.
Jan 30, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Admiral Schofield (5) reacts during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Final Take
Tennessee basketball has a solid class of young inside players that make a perfect fit for Rick Barnes’s system. With one transfer senior, two sophomores, and three freshmen, they also have a great mix of talent, experience, and leadership.
Barnes has the perfect collection of players for his tempo-based offense as well. The only problem is none of these guys are loaded with raw talent, and the only guy with real experience is 6’7″. So the lack of size could once again be a huge issue for this basketball team.
The Vols will likely run a full four-man rotation in their front court and split the minutes between Lew Evans, Kyle Alexander, and Grant Williams while Admiral Schofield is the main guy. After all, Schofield is the guy with the most potential and has by far the most all-around talent in the group.
Evans has the experience and efficiency, while Alexander has the size. Williams brings the potential.
Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson and John Fulkerson are there to provide depth if they have to. This is not a collection of players that’s going to blow anybody away. And it’s nothing to get too excited about until these guys develop more.
But Barnes did a great job getting his group of front court guys in the program, and he has now set it up to have a solid unit for the years to come.
This year, however, there are going to be some serious growing pains because of the inconsistencies in the unit. Expect Tennessee to struggle a lot in rebounding at times but to also stretch the floor very well.
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