All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee basketball: Kerry Blackshear would move Vols to the top of the SEC

By Billy Williford

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies drives to the basket against Donta Hall #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies drives to the basket against Donta Hall #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Rick Barnes and the Vols are in on Kerry Blackshear Jr. Adding him could mean the difference in Tennessee being a bubble team in the NCAA Tournament.

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the 2019-20 Tennessee basketball squad. Will they be a competitive team in the SEC? Will Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden step up and be the leaders the young team needs? Is Josiah-Jordan James the real deal?

Maybe the most pressing question is, will the Vols make the NCAA Tournament?

Of course, we will get an answer to all those questions once the season gets underway. However, the addition of Kerry Blackshear Jr. could answer my last questions sooner rather than later.

As the roster stands right now, I think it’s fair to assume the Vols will be a bubble team for most of the season. Could they surprise everyone like they did two seasons ago? Sure. If we are being fair, bubble team at best.

You feel comfortable knowing what you are going to get out of Turner and Bowden. Both guys are threats to score from the outside at any time. Turner has proved he can run the offense and is probably going to take on more of that role. Bowden can score from anywhere on the floor and hopes are he becomes more consistent next season.

You also feel like James can make a difference. He has a physical style of play and is an exceptional athlete. He doesn’t have all out speed but can get the rack on anyone guarding. One part of his game that needs improvement is his outside shot, but he has an impressive mid-range game which plays into Tennessee’s offense.

As for everyone else, we just don’t know. Sure D.J. Burns was a stud in high school, but that was high school. The word is Uros Plavsic has a tremendous offensive game that should translate well to the college level, but we haven’t seen it in game action.

Next. 5 assistant hires that got a Vols head coach fired. dark

However, add Kerry Blackshear Jr., and all those questions are still there, but they aren’t as important. As far as the team being on the bubble with Blackshear shouldn’t be a question. The Second-Team All-ACC player a season ago was a difference maker for the Hokies and if Tennessee can add him, he will be a difference maker for the Vols.

Home/Vols Basketball