Tennessee basketball: Five most important Vols for 2019-2020

As a fifth-year senior, there’s no doubt about Lamonte Turner being the veteran on the team. He’s been with Tennessee basketball since the start of the Rick Barnes tenure, and this year, the team is his team to run.

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After spending three years as a combo guard who would move over to point when Jordan Bone went to the bench, Turner now has to be the starting point guard. He and Jordan Bowden together make the key returning stars, as both averaged double-figures last year, and fully healthy, Turner’s potential as a superstar is through the roof.

Now, Turner upped his average from 10.9 to 11 points a game, but his efficiency dropped a bit, most notably going 32 percent from the three-point line last year. That can be attributed, however, to him starting the season injured. He still had nearly four assists a game as the guy to spell Bone at the point guard position.

The key for Turner has been to not press. When he stays patient, he can be the best player on the team and get red hot. Now, this year, his job is going to be remaining patient but knowing when he needs to take over with so many players gone. That can be a bit tricky, but as the fifth-year senior, it’s his job to be able to handle.

Turner’s got a great ability to score and distribute at 6’2″ 187 pounds. Like Bowden, he also went over 20 in the exhibition. Those two guys are the go-to players and leaders for this year’s Tennessee basketball team, while five-star recruit Josiah-Jordan James is the star waiting in the wings. All together, they will have to carry the team via their backcourt play.