NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team frontcourts heading into 2021-22 season

Compared to preseason expectations last year, I could argue that Tennessee’s frontcourt underachieved the most. The trio of Yves Pons, E.J. Anosike, and John Fulkerson should’ve been a top-tier trio but things fell crashing in the ladder half of the campaign.

But Fulkerson did have to deal with a tough head injury towards the end of the season and still nearly averaged double figures in scoring. Luckily for the Volunteers, the senior decided to come back, given them a veteran frontcourt player that when healthy is an impact player.

What helps Tennessee this upcoming season is a pair of freshmen with high potential. The first is Jonas Aidoo, a top-50 center prospect that was one of the biggest risers in the 2021 recruiting class. But the big name is Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, a five-star recruit that reclassified to play this upcoming season. He’s a great offensive talent that should provide the needed balance in the frontcourt and backcourt, as the Vols have another five-star freshman joining in point guard Kennedy Chandler.

With Olivier Nkamhoua and Uroš Plavšić providing some backup off the bench, Tennessee is looking for a bounce-back effort from its big for next season. A healthy Fulkerson and a Huntley-Hatfield that plays to his ceiling will give the Vols a lot to work with next season and takes the pressure off the guards to produce above their ability each night.