Tennessee basketball: Five ways Vols can offset Jaden Springer turning pro

1. Victor Bailey Jr. shoulders larger role.

This past year, Victor Bailey Jr. provided the scoring punch for Tennessee basketball off the bench. He was the other Jaden Springer on the team, a guard whose primary role was to be able to score from every level on the court.

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In just under 25 minutes a game, Bailey averaged 10.9 points. He shot 33.8 percent from the three-point line, hitting over one and a half per game, and 82.8 percent from the free throw line. When he got hot, he was arguably the best player in the SEC, but the problem is he was vulnerable to major slumps at time.

With Springer gone, Bailey will likely become the starting two guard. The 6’4″ 179-pound transfer from the Oregon Ducks will be entering his third year in Rick Barnes system, so he will be much better developed, and as a fifth-year senior next year, he’ll bring a lot more to the table. He should be able to improve on those slumping issues.

We should note that shouldering a larger role could provide him with the chance to stay in rhythm. However, he specifically needs to focus on his midrange efficiency, shooting only 40 percent from the field overall. There’s no reason to believe he won’t do it, though, particularly with a full offseason now.

Bailey has a great chance to be Tennessee basketball’s best player next year. He’s a combo guard who thrives at the two, and there’s not much he can’t do. Another year with Barnes could make him a breakout star, and that is the best way for UT to offset Springer’s departure.