All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
At right Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler (1) participates in a drill during a Tennessee men’s basketball practice in Pratt Pavilion, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Basketball0929 0171
At right Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler (1) participates in a drill during a Tennessee men’s basketball practice in Pratt Pavilion, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Basketball0929 0171 /

Biggest questions

1. How will having new points guards work with the returning talent?

The discussion here is mostly about Kennedy Chandler, but it applies to Zakai Zeigler as well. Tennessee basketball obviously needs to have two true point guards. Both bring athleticism, but Chandler brings the star power as well.

Point guard play is all about bringing chemistry, and Chandler has to connect with the other guys. He doesn’t have to be the main scorer despite his star power. This season hinges on their ability to establish a rapport with each other.

2. Can Victor Bailey Jr. and Santiago Vescovi take on the scoring responsibilities?

Both of these guys had to handle point guard duties at times last year. Now, all they have to do is focus on scoring. You would think Victor Bailey Jr. will step in as the starting shooting guard, as he was the primary scorer off the bench.

If that happens, Rick Barnes can move Santiago Vescovi to the three or have him be the sixth-man who brings the scoring punch off the bench. Both of them have to be able to handle these new roles, though. With that comes more pressure, but if they live up to it, UT’s backcourt will be elite.

3. Will Justin Powell and Josiah-Jordan James stay healthy?

Now we’re focused on the true wings. Given his time in Barnes’ system and his development, Josiah-Jordan James could emerge into a superstar and the best wing player in the nation if he stays healthy. Justin Powell can play point forward and stretch the floor if he does so.

There’s already a lot of talent, but these two guys would perfectly complement the scoring guards as wing players if they stayed healthy. Tennessee basketball could have a defensive/sharpshooting rotation, and that would add a huge element to this team.

Home/Vols Basketball