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Tennessee basketball 2021-2022 preview: Backcourt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee guard Victor Bailey Jr (12) dribbles the ball during a basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.Kns Vols Gamecocks Hoops Bp
Tennessee guard Victor Bailey Jr (12) dribbles the ball during a basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.Kns Vols Gamecocks Hoops Bp /
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Feb 2, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) reacts after missing a shot against the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) reacts after missing a shot against the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Returning contributors

Santiago Vescovi

  • 6’3″ 191 pounds
  • Junior
  • Montevideo, Uruguay

For the past year and a half, Santiago Vescovi has been Tennessee basketball’s starting point guard. He’s handled it like more of a combo guard, averaging 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals through 46 games with 42 starts.

However, Vescovi’s speciality is shooting, as he is 40.9 percent from the three-point line for his career, hitting nearly two a game. This year, with new players to run the point, he’ll probably move to the two-guard spot full-time, so look for him to be more of a scorer now.

Josiah-Jordan James

  • 6’6″ 214 pounds
  • Junior
  • Charleston, S.C.

It’s rare to have a junior who was a five-star, but Josiah-Jordan James fits that bill. He’s struggled with injuries at times the past two years, never being able to fully reach his potential. However, that’s two full years as a five-star to develop under Barnes.

As a result, James could have a breakout year now. He’s a defensive specialist, having averaged 1.4 steals a game last year and 6 rebounds a game for his career. James can score efficiently at times as well. With Keon Johnson gone, he’ll be another wing player expected to run the break.

Victor Bailey Jr.

  • 6’4″ 182 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Austin, Texas

While Jaden Springer was the primary scoring guard and Santiago Vescovi was the point guard, Victor Bailey Jr. came off the bench to be the combo guard and spell both. He averaged 10.9 points and 1.6 assists while shooting 33.8 percent from three and 82.8 percent on free throws.

Bailey, like Vescovi, is now set to be just a scorer this year, and he could be the starting shooting guard. He’s also been in Barnes’ system for three years now, as he redshirted in 2019-2020 after transferring from the Oregon Ducks. If he can step up his outside shot, he could be lethal.

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