All for Tennessee
Fansided

March Madness: Ranking the top five Tennessee basketball Vols by importance in 2022 NCAA Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

Feb 5, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and his teammates celebrate the last minutes of a victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and his teammates celebrate the last minutes of a victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) smiles to cheers from the Tennessee student section during the NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.Px Uthoops Kentucky
Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) smiles to cheers from the Tennessee student section during the NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.Px Uthoops Kentucky /

John Fulkerson. 3. 534. Scouting Report. Forward. Senior. player. Pick Analysis

6’9″ 219 pounds

He may be coming off the bench now in his sixth year out of Kingsport, Tenn., but of all the big men on Tennessee basketball’s roster, John Fulkerson is most important. With Rick Barnes able to go small now, he needs his one big to be seasoned and experienced. The graduate of Christ School in North Carolina obviously provides that.

If Olivier Nkamhoua were still healthy, this wouldn’t be a story. Uros Plavsic is developing well. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Jonas Aidoo are showing potential. Simply put, the Vols will be fine in the post when Fulkerson is gone next year.

However, right now, heading into March Madness, Fulky is the key for them. He’s the best passer in the post, averaging one and a half assists a game, and he also averages just under a block and just under five rebounds despite not being a starter. Add in his over seven points a game, and he’s exactly what Barnes needs under the basket.

Fulky can always step up when he’s needed, and there will definitely be a game when that’s the case if the Vols make a deep run in March Madness. However, his presence alone is what’s important, so he’s the big Rocky Top needs the most.

Home/Vols Basketball