With Rick Barnes bringing in a star-studded portal class, there are a lot of new faces and a lot of talent. With that comes a lot of mouths to feed, and only one basketball, so Barnes may have a dilemma on his hands. Who will be the focal point of the Tennessee offense this November?
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We think the role will start out with Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris. At Wake Forest last year, Harris averaged 21.4 points per night while also grabbing 6.5 rebounds and dishing out 1.9 assists. Not only was he a high-volume player on a mediocre team, but he did it efficiently, shooting 44.4% from the field and a respectable 33% from three on 7.5 attempts per game.
Where does Harris fit on the Vols' roster this year?
Tennessee is going to need Harris to emerge as a go-to scorer next season. Early indications suggest he will open the year as the starting small forward on the wing, where his size and athleticism will be valuable in high-pressure situations.
Harris is a crafty finisher around the rim who can score through contact and effectively use his left hand. He also plays above the rim and brings strong athletic bounce, allowing him to finish in transition and in traffic. While his jumper is far from prime Ray Allen, he can stroke it from deep, especially on the catch-and-shoot. Barnes' offense loves staggers and flares, and that should suit Harris well, along with getting him in pick-and-roll situations.
Last year, too much of the load was on Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament, but the good news is Harris doesn’t have to play hero ball in Knoxville. While he is expected to be the go-to guy, he also has support from Dai Dai Ames, Terrence Hill, and Jalan Hartlason, three players who have proven they are capable scorers at the Power Conference level.
Rick Barnes has hinted that Harris will be his go-to guy as well, at least to start the year. “One of the premier scorers nationally,” Barnes said, “he possesses the ability to put the ball in the basket in numerous ways, from all over the floor. Juke can take over a game and impose his will at any time. He is a versatile player who can handle the ball in transition and has the length to make an impact defensively.”
Barnes does seem intrigued by Harris’s length and how he can be impactful defensively. In the NBA Draft, Harris’s biggest weakness was known to be his defense, which is what hurt his stock. That’s why he ended up being such a good fit for Tennessee. The Vols need a go-to scorer, and Barnes is one of the best defensive coaches in the nation who can elevate Harris’s game at that level.
Next season, Tennessee has high aspirations of reaching its first Final Four. If the Vols are able to make that leap, much of it will likely depend on the performance of Harris.
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