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Tennessee basketball: Ranking all nine returning players for 2022-23

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) smile after James made a three-pointer during a basketball game between Tennessee and Texas A&M held at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Texas A M Hoops Bp
Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) smile after James made a three-pointer during a basketball game between Tennessee and Texas A&M held at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Texas A M Hoops Bp /
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Mar 16, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Uros Plavsic (33) shoots the ball during NCAA practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Uros Plavsic (33) shoots the ball during NCAA practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick Analysis. Center. Senior. Uros Plavsic. player. Scouting Report. 6. 534

7’0″ 251 pounds

We’re finally at the returning players guaranteed to be in the rotation. Tennessee basketball has an issue in the post with the loss of John Fulkerson and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. However, the return of their only seven-footer, Uros Plavsic, should do a lot to offset that, and another year developing in Rick Barnes’ system is a big help.

Plavsic played in all 35 games last year, starting in 21 of them and averaging just over 14 minutes each outing. He finished the year averaging over four points and right at four rebounds a game, both career bests by a wide margin. Also, despite more action, his efficiency soared, as his field goal percentage went up to .573, an increase of over .100 points.

If he develops at the same rate he did last offseason, he’ll become a double-double machine for the Vols. At this point, it still seems like he’ll be a rotational player, but he brings a lot to the table, and he’s got a great chance at becoming a full-time starter this year.

When Barnes got Plavsic to transfer from the Arizona State Sun Devils, it was understood that he would be a long-term project. Well, it’s time for that project to pay off. No matter what, he should see over 20 minutes a game this year, and his play will be crucial to Tennessee basketball.

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