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Tennessee basketball 2020-2021 preview: Backcourt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) and Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) celebrate after defeating South Carolina 56-55 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020.Kns Vols South Carolina
Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) and Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) celebrate after defeating South Carolina 56-55 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020.Kns Vols South Carolina /
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Nov 25, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes (left) speaks with guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) during the second half against the Chattanooga Mocs at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes (left) speaks with guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) during the second half against the Chattanooga Mocs at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Final take

When it comes to Tennessee basketball’s guards, the story is much more about potential than proven production. However, even with the loss of Jordan Bowden, there’s plenty of reason to believe in that potential.

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The Vols have a point guard in Santiago Vescovi who was a midseason freshman enrollee from overseas last year and immediately averaged over 10 points while shooting 36 percent from three. Another year of experience should make him elite. This also holds true for Josiah-Jordan James, who also shot efficiently and defended well despite being banged up as a freshman.

James was once a five-star, and he’s now joined by two five-star freshman in scoring guard Keon Johnson and combo guard Jaden Springer. This could be an elite four-man rotation alone, as Johnson and Springer are all about potential. One of them is bound to work out, but if one of them doesn’t, Rick Barnes clearly has other options.

Then there are Victor Bailey Jr. and Davonte Gaines. Bailey now being able to play with two years of Power Five experience under his belt already combined with another year of experience behind Gaines makes for a ton of depth along with potential here. Nobody in the backcourt is a senior, and seven of eight players are freshmen or sophomores, but the talent is there.

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Expect some growing pains from Tennessee basketball’s guard, even with lots of talent back. Barnes could even play big and only start two guys while running a forward at the three. Either way, though, this unit should be very productive and leaves a lot to be excited about.

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