Tennessee basketball depth offsets Davonte Gaines, Drew Pember entering transfer portal

After already being upset about Tennessee basketball underachieving in 2020-2021 with two five-stars and the return of a ton of talent, Rick Barnes detractors had another reason to fake panic on Friday. Two Vols have now entered the transfer portal.

Sophomores Davonte Gaines and Drew Pember both put their names in the portal Friday. Gaines, a 6’7″ 181-pound forward, played in 19 games this past year and appeared in all but two games as a freshman. His minutes went down from 10.6 per game to just under three and a half, and he went from averaging two and a half points to under one point a game.

Pember, a 6’10” 190-pound forward, played in just 10 games this past year for Tennessee basketball despite playing in 22 as a freshman. His minutes dipped from five and a half a game to under three, and he went from averaging just under one and a half points a game to under half a point. Both Gaines and Pember announced their entry into the portal on Twitter.

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Given the limited minutes and the reduction that happened this past year, we don’t have to make too hard of a case as to why the Vols can withstand these two players entering the portal. Barnes’ recruiting has built up more depth, and playing time for many guys is getting harder.

Detractors might point out that Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson are likely both leaving, and both Vol forwards were seniors last year, leaving plenty of room for Gaines and Pember to have more of an impact. Those players are ignoring other up and comers on the roster.

First off, John Fulkerson could potentially return given the NCAA’s eligibility ruling. Even if he doesn’t, though, Olivier Nkamhoua has been emerging at the four and could easily step into a starting role. Also, Barnes relied more on Uros Plavsic, and assuming he develops in another offseason, the seven-footer could have the center spot locked up.

Then there are two former four-stars who will be in the system next year. Corey Walker Jr. took a redshirt this year but was part of that top five class in 2020, and standing at 6’8″ 219 pounds, he could emerge in a big way next year. Jahmai Mashack is a four-star wing committed for 2021, so he could take time away from both Gaines and Pember.

Finally, and most importantly, E.J. Anosike is returning. The 6’7″ 245-pound power forward will be taking advantage of that eligibility ruling, and after limited action this past year, another offseason developing under Barnes could allow him to emerge in a big way next year. Simply put, Tennessee basketball will be fine under the basket.

What about in the backcourt? After all, Gaines was a wing player who is listed as a guard. Well, Mashack could fill that role, as we said. Meanwhile, five-star Kennedy Chandler has committed, and Victor Bailey Jr. and Santiago Vescovi are coming back. From the recent interview he gave, Josiah-Jordan James sounds like he’s returning as well.

Fans should wish Pember and Gaines all the best, and both had some nice hustle moments on Rocky Top. However, Tennessee basketball has the players to offset their departures, even with all the guys leaving this year, and they could even have more. Barnes may not be done, particularly because of the transfer portal.