Tennessee basketball 2019-2020 preview: Vols backcourt

Returning talent

Lamonte Turner

Redshirt senior; 6’2″ 187 pounds; Florence, Ala.

There’s no doubt that Rick Barnes will look to Lamonte Turner to be the leader for Tennessee basketball this year. He is the leading returning scorer, averaging 11 points a game last year, and he shot 35.5 percent from three while averaging nearly four assists a game as the other option at point guard.

And that all came despite being banged up. So this year, Barnes will expect Turner to take an even bigger leap. Right now, he’s probably the favorite to play the point guard spot with Jordan Bone gone, but some development is required there.

Jordan Bowden

Senior; 6’5″ 193 pounds; Knoxville, Tenn.

We know exactly what the Vols are getting with Jordan Bowden. He joins Turner as the two proven contributors, and he is the other guy who averaged double-figures, scoring 10.6 points a game. As a regular starter his sophomore year, Bowden moved to the bench his junior year behind Turner and provided quick scoring coming off it. Now, it’s likely he and Turner play on the court together.

What’s clear, though, is Bowden is specifically a two-guard. He shot 37.8 percent from the three point line and 81.7 percent from the free throw line and scoring is what he does. So he’s probably already penciled in as the starting shooting guard. Now, with more minutes coming, he’s likely to get a chance to get in a rhythm more, as his scoring came in bunches last year.

Yves Pons

Junior; 6’6″ 215 pounds; Fuveau, France

Yves Pons is a potential frontcourt player if Rick Barnes goes small. But when Lamonte Turner was hurt last year, Barnes started him. So it’s clear he’s expecting Pons to develop. Playing for the French Under 20 national team this past summer should have helped him. He’s an aggressive guy who can do a lot, and he could give Barnes an option for a wing to replace Schofield.

Jalen Johnson

Redshirt junior; 6’6″ 196 pounds; Durham, N.C.

After averaging just under six minutes a game last year, Jalen Johnson was at least 45 percent from the three-point line, going nine-of-20. He has the ability to stretch the floor, which makes him a guy with lots of potential to provide depth. And with his experience in the system, he could take tremendous strides.

Jacob Fleschman

Redshirt junior; 6’3″ 176 pounds; Austin, Texas

A walk-on for Tennessee basketball, Jacob Fleschman only played in five games last year. He’ll likely not see any action, but he is a guy who has shown he could get onto the court if the Vols end up in any kind of foul trouble.