All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee basketball: Projecting Vols’ 2022-23 starting lineup

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 11, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Feb 9, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Santiago Vescovi (25) handles the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Santiago Vescovi (25) handles the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting guard – Santiago Vescovi

The most efficient player for Tennessee basketball last year, Santiago Vescovi spent his first two years running the point for the Vols. Moving over to shooting guard did him wonders, as he has handles and is a great passer but is at his best when scoring. His ability to stretch the floor from the outside is what makes him so great.

Standing at 6’3″ 191 pounds, Vescovi averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 40.3 percent from the three-point line. He upped his defensive game, averaging over one and a half steals as well, and with another year of experience, he could become a superstar.

Coming back for his senior season was a huge boost for the Vols. Vescovi could actually spend time spelling Zakai Zeigler at point guard if needed, as he has experience there, but his primary role will be playing off-guard and focusing on scoring from the backcourt for the Vols.

Backup: Tyreke Key

A combo guard who transferred from the Indiana State Sycamores, Tyreke Key stands at 6’2″ 207 pounds and could also back up Zeigler. In fact, he’s probably going to be the primary backup for both, but he’d be more of a shooting guard. Key averaged 14.5 points a game in four years with Indiana State and shot 37.4 percent from three, so he’ll do what Vescovi does.

Home/Vols Basketball