Tennessee Basketball: Impact of 2019 forward DJ Burns reclassifying for next season
Head coach Rick Barnes continues to take the SEC by storm. His latest power move: the addition of D.J. Burns to the 2018 recruiting class.
The rich continue to get richer in Knoxville, Tennessee, that’s if you’re the Tennessee Volunteers basketball program. Head coach Rick Barnes is building a solid foundation in Knoxville after recent news came of the commitment and reclassification of D.J. Burns to the 2018 recruiting class.
Burns is a 6-foot-9, 248-pound center who ranks 103rd overall in the 2019 class, according to 247Sports. He chose Tennessee over the South Carolina Gamecocks, showing just how coveted he was across the SEC. His movement from the 2019 to the 2018 class gives Tennessee instant depth for the upcoming season.
The Volunteers lost two players from their 2017-18 and return a team that will boast a roster of two freshmen, five sophomores, four juniors and four seniors in 2018-19. Burns will be their only incoming recruit in the 2018 class. Their 2019 class currently boasts the commitment of just 6-foot-6 small forward Davonte Gaines.
Burns attended York Prep in Rock Hill, South Carolina this past season, where he surpassed the 1,000 point and 1,000 rebound mark in three high school seasons. His decision to graduate early gives the Volunteers a solid post presence to work with going forward.
Espn 60 D.J. Burns reclassifies up into the class of 2018 and commits to Rick Barnes and Tennessee. A power forward at 6'8" & 255lbs who scores with footwork, touch, and instincts on the blocks. The Volunteers will be projected as a top 5 team next... https://t.co/49y77SdnIS
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) June 1, 2018
After achieving their highest win total since the 2009-10 season, Barnes the Volunteers look to be trending in the upward direction. They made the NCAA Tournament last year after going 26-9 in the regular season. They went 15-3 in the SEC and finished first in conference play. The Volunteers lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Loyola (Chicago) as a No. 3 seed.
Tennessee on the rise
Despite being in unfamiliar territory last season, the Tennessee Volunteers should be a top contender in the SEC next year. They have already been ranked No. 6 in Lukas Harkins’ updated Top-25 preseason rankings.
Three seasons into his tenure, Rick Barnes looks like the coach of old, bringing back memories of the Texas Longhorns. In 17 seasons as the head coach of the Longhorns, Barnes led the team to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances including a Final Four appearance in 2002-03. He looks to be just scratching the surface as the Volunteers head coach who return with tons of experience next year.
Boasting a tandem of Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, they should challenge for the SEC title once again in 2018-19. The Volunteers swept the Kentucky Wildcats last season in two regular-season meetings before falling 77-72 in the 2018 SEC Conference Championship Tournament game.
Williams led Tennessee in scoring with 15.2 points per game along with 6.0 rebounds per contest. He earned the SEC’s Player of the Year award for his play at season’s end. Schofield led the team in rebounds per game last season with 6.4 while coming in second in scoring with 13.9 points per game.
Next: 2018-19 Preseason Top 25 After NBA Draft Decisions
Williams and Schofield are due for breakout seasons and are sure to play the underdog role with what they’re up against recruiting wise with Kentucky. Schofield withdrew his name from the NBA Draft this past week after testing the process. His return gives them a solid wing to rely on alongside Grant Williams, look for them to make noise in the SEC in 2018-19.