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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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Jan 4, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks with Tennessee Volunteers guard Santiago Vescovi (25) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks with Tennessee Volunteers guard Santiago Vescovi (25) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Final take

It’s scary how elite the potential of Tennessee basketball’s backcourt is. Just look at the combination of recruiting and experience first. The Vols have two five-stars, a fifth-year senior, two three-year players and one two-year player. In that group of experienced players, the fifth-year senior was once a four-star, and one of the three-year players is a five-star.

Related Story. Vol basketball 2021-2022 preview: Frontcourt. light

Then you look at the production. UT has two proven scorers with experience in Victor Bailey Jr. and Santiago Vescovi. It has two elite, proven sharpshooters in Vescovi and Justin Powell. Joining Powell on the wing is an elite, proven defender in Josiah-Jordan James, who could be the best transition player in the nation this year.

Simply put, the two and the three are set and could be the best four-man rotation in basketball if they’re all good to go. Then the Vols have a five-star, their most highly touted recruit, in Kennedy Chandler to run the point. Simply put, they are loaded here.

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

Add in three other freshmen, and Tennessee basketball should have no problem getting the right rotation here. Barnes has a lot to work with going forward. Talent is all over the court, and he’s got five players UT fans can be excited about for their projected immediate production. Having that for three spots is a great situation.

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