Tennessee Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Volunteers

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the semifinals of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 10, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

Projected starters

The Tennessee Volunteers’ starting rotation is led by 2018 SEC Player of the Year, Grant Williams and 6-foot-5 forward Admiral Schofield. Williams led the team in points per game (15.2) and Schofield led them in rebounds per game (6.4). Schofield also put up 13.9 points per contest during the 2017-18 season.

The other two projected starters, Jordan Bone and Jordan Bowden, will be both juniors entering the upcoming season. Bowden produced 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 35 appearances as a sophomore. Bone averaged 7.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.1 rebounds per contest last year.

Big man Kyle Alexander will man the center position. He was missed during their second round game against Loyola-Chicago. He put up 5.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game during the 2017-18 regular season.

All five players return after starting in at least 33 games last season. Williams and Schofield will be a strong 1-2 scoring punch but they’ll need more for those around them on offense. Defense is fine. The Volunteers ranked first in SEC play and 25th in the NCAA in scoring defense in 2017-18, allowing just 65.7 points per game. The reserve unit is also in good shape with an experienced double-figurer scorer of its own.

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