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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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Tennessee guard Olivier Nkamhoua (13), Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10), and Tennessee guard Victor Bailey Jr. (12) are seen on the court during a game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.012321 Tennessee Mizzou
Tennessee guard Olivier Nkamhoua (13), Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10), and Tennessee guard Victor Bailey Jr. (12) are seen on the court during a game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.012321 Tennessee Mizzou /

Final take

With only one returning starter and the departure of a key guy like Yves Pons, there are a lot more questions surrounding Tennessee basketball in the frontcourt than in the backcourt. However, the potential with this unit is clear.

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We know about what John Fulkerson brings to the table. It’s certain he’ll be an impact player and start. The question, then, is how Rick Barnes will use the rest of the players in his rotation. That really comes down to two of the three freshmen and the two returning backups on scholarship. Handje Tamba is a development player, and the two walk-ons won’t play much.

The ideal situation is for Brandon Huntley-Hatfield to live up to his five-star status and start with Fulkerson, Olivier Nkamhoua to develop and be the stretch-four off the bench and either Uros Plavsic develop of Jonas Aidoo be ready to go to step up at center. With all of these guys, though, Barnes clearly has options and can mix and match.

Next. Projecting Vol basketball's 2021-22 starting lineup. dark

Tennessee basketball’s best two seasons under Barnes so far came when he had a true post game. There’s no doubt Barnes would like to get back to that. He would seem to have the talent and the depth to do so now, but we’ll have to wait and see.

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