When you talk about great coaching jobs by Rick Barnes, the start of the 2019-2020 season for Tennessee basketball has to be up there. Given everything the Vols have dealt with, it’s actually one of the most impressive stories in the nation.
Here is a team that lost its top four contributors last year. Then it lost out on an eligibility waiver for its 7’0″ transfer while another 6’11” player on the roster left the program. That left them with nobody taller than 6’9″ and only one player over 6’6″ with any experience.
On top of that, one of their only two returning rotational players from last year, Lamonte Turner, had to make the transition to point guard, and he’s playing the early part of the season with a shoulder injury, which has limited his ability to stretch the floor with his shot.