Tennessee basketball: Projecting the Vols 2019-2020 two-deep depth chart

Power forward

1. Yves Pons

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

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With no Grant Williams, Tennessee basketball’s personnel requires Rick Barnes to go small this year. That means Admiral Schofield’s most natural replacement, once a four-star for his athletic ability, moves over to the power forward spot. And we’re putting Yves Pons in that situation with expectations for him to break out his junior year.

Pons did start 13 games last year, and he began to finally show his ability to be a stretch-four guy. This year, though, we’re going with the leap of faith that he took a major step forward in the offseason, and that development has him ready for versatility. He’s the guy who will slide into the No. 3 spot when Barnes goes to his bench, where he can play a bit bigger.

2. John Fulkerson

Redshirt junior; 6’9″ 212 pounds; Kingsport, Tenn.

Two years ago, John Fulkerson struggled to adequately return from injury. However, last year he averaged over three points and two and a half rebounds in just over 12 minutes of action. So he was back to his old self as a very solid role player, and that’s going to be the expectation for him again this year.

Fulkerson could also play backup center, and if an eligibility waiver doesn’t go a certain way, he just might move over into that position, which would put Drew Pember, a 6’9″ 207-pound freshman, into this slot. But for now, Fulkerson is the backup power forward and just the top backup big man, power forward or center. It depends on how big Barnes wants to play at the time.