Tennessee Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Vols against Wisconsin Badgers

3. Replace the overall production of Turner

So I mentioned before about how Tennessee deals with the loss of Turner but I only focused on who the lead ball-handler would now be (Bowden). But important to note that even before the injury, the Vols essentially had a seven-man rotation. Four starters were averaging at least 30 mpg, while guard Jalen Johnson and forward Drew Pember comes in for a few minutes to give the starters breathers.

With just eight true scholarship players to choose from, there are not many options for head coach Rick Barnes to work with. Expect Bowden to play almost al 40 minutes in competitive matchups, while the other starters go for 30+ minutes. As far as the fifth starter goes, they could go big with Fulkerson and Nkamhoua in the frontcourt and move Pons to the small forward spot. But offensively that could be a problem.

The best-case solution is having 6’7 freshman Davonte Gaines move into the lineup with an expanded role. In just 12 mpg, he’s averaging 3.9 ppg and 0.9 apg and is aggressive in getting to the free throw line. For a team who may be struggling to initiate the offense, having Gaines try and get his own could help out Bowden.

The good news for the Vols is that Wisconsin isn’t the best offensive unit, so they can survive having problems scoring and still get away with a home win. But if they can’t score enough to beat the Badgers this weekend, it doesn’t bode well for Tennessee once the SEC foes start showing up next week. For such a consequential matchup, let’s see what game plan Coach Barnes comes up with.