Tennessee basketball’s projected 2021-2022 starting lineup

By Caleb Calhoun | Jul 28, 2021

Mar 7, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward John Fulkerson (10) reacts as he leaves the court during the second half against the Florida Gators at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

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Brandon Huntley-Hatfield reclassified to the class of 2021 and announced he is committed to playing basketball at Tennessee during a ceremony at Clarksville Academy Thursday, April 15, 2021 in Clarksville. Huntley-Hatfield played his freshman season at Clarksville Academy before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. He spent this past season at a prep school in Scotland, Pa.Jl7a3015

Brandon Huntley-Hatfield reclassified to the class of 2021 and announced he is committed to playing basketball at Tennessee during a ceremony at Clarksville Academy Thursday, April 15, 2021 in Clarksville. Huntley-Hatfield played his freshman season at Clarksville Academy before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. He spent this past season at a prep school in Scotland, Pa.Jl7a3015 /

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Starter: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

Freshman; 6’10” 235 pounds; Hometown: Clarksville, Tenn.

The second five-star to commit in Tennessee basketball’s 2021 recruiting class, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield reclassified into that class after initially being part of the 2022 class. However, as a five-star, it’s safe to say he’ll likely immediately step in and become a starter. The in-state talent who went to Scotland Campus Prep in Pennsylvania’s, Franklin County brings a ton of potential.

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Now, like John Fulkerson, Huntley-Hatfield is probably best as a power forward. However, it’s best for Rick Barnes if both of those guys start at the same time, and they both have enough size that you can run one at the four and one at the five. As a result, they will round out the interior together, making for a combination of experience and elite talent.

Backup: Uros Plavsic

Junior; 7’0″ 262 pounds; Hometown: Ivanjica, Serbia

Is this the year Uros Plavsic bursts onto the scene? The graduate of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn. who transferred to the Vols after a year with the Arizona State Sun Devils has now had two years to develop in Barnes’ system, just like Victor Bailey Jr., who transferred the same year. You can’t teach height.

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Plavsic is the most experienced seven-footer on the team. Last year, he averaged under five minutes a game, down from averaging over seven minutes the previous year. In two years, he’s averaging just under two points a game. Given his potential to be dominant down low, though, he’ll back up Huntley-Hatfield at center and be the one true center in the rotation.

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