Tennessee basketball: Vols 2019-2020 top 10 individual game performances

9. John Fulkerson at No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks

15 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block

Kansas wins 74-68

Yes, Tennessee basketball lost this game. But Josiah-Jordan James was playing banged up, the Vols were in a roster transition, and they were playing a top five team in the nation on the road in the SEC/Big 12 challenge. Taking all of that into account, they should actually be applauded for how they were able to hang around.

A big reason for them hanging around was John Fulkerson. Now, you could attribute this to Kansas suffering from Udoka Azubuike getting into foul trouble and Bill Self having limited depth in the postgame due to suspensions from the fight with the Kansas State Jayhawks in the previous game. But UT was thin down low as well, and Fulkerson gave Azubuike a battle.

For the game, Fulkerson shot seven-of-12 from the field, and he hit his only free throw on an and-one attempt. His one block and two assists are noteworthy as well, but his 12 rebounds are the big story. Fulkerson was all over the glass, most notably coming away with seven offensive rebounds, meaning he was just out-hustling guys.

We could also note that Fulkerson got into foul trouble as well in this game. He and Azubuike were the only players over 6’9″ with any quality experience on their teams playing in that game, and both finished with four fouls. So Fulkerson held his own with one of the best big men in the nation, and there’s an argument to say he outplayed the guy.