Tennessee basketball: Player awards for the 2018-2019 season

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers dunks the ball during the second half against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

No.6 – Jordan Bowden

Best team player

Don’t look down on this award. In fact, you could make this is one if not the most important award of the entire season.

Moving from the starting lineup to the bench is never an easy thing to do. Starting the game isn’t everything, but as humans, it’s hard for us to wrap our minds around once starting and then being “benched.”

Bowden didn’t lose playing time, but he did lose the starting role, and it didn’t affect him one bit. In fact, he may have brought out a more aggressive and physical Bowden.

To start SEC play, the junior guard scored 20 apiece against Georgia and Missouri15-for-25 from the floor. The success continued for Bowden scoring 17 against Florida, 19 against Arkansas, and 12 in the three-point win over Alabama.

Bowden finished the last scoring in double figures in four or the last six games. That included the 16-point performance against Purdue in the Sweet 16.

The best five players don’t always start the game. And, Bowden realized that and did what was best for the Vols. Without Bowden moving to the bench and understanding his essential role, Tennessee might not have been as good.

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