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Tennessee basketball 2021-2022 preview: Frontcourt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee’s Handje Tamba (32) looks to pass during a Tennessee men’s basketball practice in Pratt Pavilion, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Basketball0929 0421
Tennessee’s Handje Tamba (32) looks to pass during a Tennessee men’s basketball practice in Pratt Pavilion, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Basketball0929 0421 /
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Jan 31, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with forward John Fulkerson (10) during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 84 to 61. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with forward John Fulkerson (10) during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 84 to 61. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Over the past couple years, Rick Barnes has played small in the post, running Yves Pons, who could play the three, at the four. That’s because Tennessee basketball has had a hard time replacing Grant Williams and Kyle Alexander.  Barnes still likes to play inside-out, but it could be even harder this year with Pons gone.

Not only is Pons gone, but E.J. Anosike, Drew Pember and Corey Walker Jr., all of whom could have been returning forwards, have all entered the transfer portal. That leaves him with a complete reshuffling this year in the post. On the other hand, the Vols have one key returning starter, two returning contributors and five returning players overall.

Rocky Top added three freshmen, including a five-star. As we get set to preview the Vols’ front court, we’ll separate the slides by starters, returning backups and newcomers, and we’ll close with biggest questions and the final take. This is our preview of Tennessee basketball’s front court for the 2021-2022 season.

Returning starters

John Fulkerson

  • 6’9″ 215 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Kingsport, Tenn.

One of the biggest storylines this offseason was UT forward John Fulkerson announcing his decision to take advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling to return for a sixth year on Rocky Top. Fulkerson has been a great development story and wants to make up for missing the end of last year due to injury.

After earning All-SEC in 2019-2020, Fulkerson took a bit of a step back last year as teams keyed in on him more. However, he still averaged nine and a half points, five and a half rebounds and over one and a half assists.

With more development, Fulkerson will be relied on much more heavily this year in the post. He’s Tennessee basketball’s one proven player down low, and he stays down low. His finesse skills set combined with his willingness to play physical makes him the perfect player for Barnes to go inside-out again. As the one returning rotational post player, he comes with lots of expectations.

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