2019–20 Tennessee Volunteers basketball team

The 2019–20 Tennessee Volunteers basketball team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Volunteers were led by fifth-year head coach Rick Barnes.[1] The team played its home games at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a member of the Southeastern Conference. They finished the season 17–14, 9–9 in SEC play to finish in eighth place. They were set to take on Alabama in the second round of the SEC tournament. However, the remainder of the SEC Tournamament was cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019–20 Tennessee Volunteers basketball
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Record17–14 (9–9 SEC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaThompson–Boling Arena
Seasons
2019–20 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 8 Kentucky153 .833256 .806
No. 20 Auburn126 .667256 .806
LSU126 .6672110 .677
Mississippi State117 .6112011 .645
Florida117 .6111912 .613
South Carolina108 .5561813 .581
Texas A&M108 .5561614 .533
Tennessee99 .5001714 .548
Alabama810 .4441615 .516
Arkansas711 .3892012 .625
Missouri711 .3891516 .484
Ole Miss612 .3331517 .469
Georgia513 .2781616 .500
Vanderbilt315 .1671121 .344
Note: The 2020 SEC tournament was canceled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rankings from AP poll

Previous season

The Vols finished the 2018-19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season 31–6, 15–3 in SEC play to earn a share of the SEC regular season championship. As the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament, they defeated Mississippi State and Kentucky before losing to Auburn in the championship game. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed in the South region. There the Volunteers defeated Colgate and Iowa in the Second Round before being upset by Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen.

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for departure
Admiral Schofield5F6'6"241SeniorZion, ILGraduated; selected 42nd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers
Kyle Alexander11F6'11"215SeniorMilton, ONGraduated
Brad Woodson12G6'1"177SeniorMurfreesboro, TNGraduated
Lucas Campbell24G6'4"185SeniorKnoxville, TNGraduated
Jordan Bone0G6'3"174JuniorNashville, TNDeclared for the NBA draft; selected 57th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans
Grant Williams2F6'7"236JuniorCharlotte, NCDeclared for the NBA draft; selected 22nd overall by the Boston Celtics
Derrick Walker15F6'8"236SophomoreKansas City, MOTransferred to Nebraska
D. J. Burns32F6'9"272FreshmanRock Hill, SCTransferred to Winthrop

Coaching changes

In April 2019, associate head coach Rob Lanier was hired as the new head coach at Georgia State.[2] Barnes hired Kim English as a replacement later that month.[3]

Incoming transfers

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious school
Victor Bailey Jr.13G6'4"190JuniorAustin, TXTransferred from Oregon. Under NCAA transfer rules, Bailey will have to sit out the 2019–20 season. Will have two years of remaining eligibility.
Uroš Plavšić34C7'0"240SophomoreIvanjica, SerbiaTransferred from Arizona State. Under NCAA transfer rules, Plavšić will have to sit out the 2019–20 season. Will have three years of remaining eligibility.

2019 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Josiah-Jordan James
CG
Charleston, SCPorter–Gaud School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)200 lb (91 kg)Sep 19, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Drew Pember
PF
Knoxville, TNBearden High School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)175 lb (79 kg)Jun 8, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Davonte Gaines
SF
Buffalo, NYHigh School for Health Careers and Sciences6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)175 lb (79 kg)Jul 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Olivier Nkamhoua
C
Cumberland, MDBishop Walsh High School6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)N/AMay 17, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Rivals.com 2019 Tennessee Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com.
  • "2019 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

2020 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Keon Johnson
SG
Bell Buckle, TNThe Webb School6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)Aug 6, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Corey Walker
PF
Jacksonville, FLHargrave Military Academy6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg)Mar 3, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:
Jaden Springer
SG
Charlotte, NCIMG Academy6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg)Oct 23, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:


Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Preseason

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on October 15, 2019.[4]

Media poll
Predicted finishTeam
1Kentucky
2Florida
3LSU
4Auburn
5Tennessee
6Alabama
7Mississippi State
8Ole Miss
9Georgia
10South Carolina
11Arkansas
12Texas A&M
13Missouri
14Vanderbilt

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Volunteers had one player selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Roster

2019–20 Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G1Lamonte Turner6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)187 lb (85 kg)RS SrIMG AcademyFlorence, Alabama
F3Drew Pember6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)207 lb (94 kg)FrBearden High SchoolKnoxville, Tennessee
G4Jacob Fleschman (W)6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)176 lb (80 kg)RS JrWestlake High SchoolAustin, Texas
G5Josiah-Jordan James6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)208 lb (94 kg)FrPorter-Gaud SchoolCharleston, South Carolina
F10John Fulkerson6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)212 lb (96 kg)RS JrChrist SchoolKingsport, Tennessee
G11Davonte Gaines6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)166 lb (75 kg)FrHargrave Military AcademyBuffalo, New York
G12Victor Bailey Jr.  6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)186 lb (84 kg)JrOregonAustin, Texas
G13Jalen Johnson6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)196 lb (89 kg)RS JrWesleyan Christian AcademyDurham, North Carolina
F21Olivier Nkamhoua6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)224 lb (102 kg)FrBishop Walsh SchoolHelsinki, Finland
G23Jordan Bowden6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)193 lb (88 kg)SrCarter High SchoolKnoxville, Tennessee
G25Santiago Véscovi6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)188 lb (85 kg)FrNBA Global AcademyMontevideo, Uruguay
F30Brock Jancek (W)6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)222 lb (101 kg)SoKnoxville Catholic High SchoolKnoxville, Tennessee
F34Uroš Plavšić  7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)240 lb (109 kg)SoArizona StateIvanjica, Serbia
G/F35Yves Pons6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)JrINSEP AcademyFuveau, France
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster

Depth chart

Pos.Starting 5Bench 1Bench 2
CJohn FulkersonUroš PlavšićDrew Pember
PFYves PonsOlivier Nkamhoua
SFJosiah-Jordan JamesDavonte GainesBrock Jancek
SGJordan BowdenJalen Johnson
PGLamonte TurnerSantiago VéscoviJacob Fleschman

[citation needed]

Schedule and results

Date
time, TV
Rank#Opponent#ResultRecordHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsSite (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 30, 2019*
7:00 pm, SECN+
Eastern New MexicoW 107–59 
 23  Turner  10  Fulkerson  7  Tied Thompson–Boling Arena (6,222)
Knoxville, TN
Regular season
November 5, 2019*
7:00 pm, SECN+
UNC AshevilleW 78–63 1–0
 17  Turner  9  Fulkerson  6  Turner Thompson–Boling Arena (19,273)
Knoxville, TN
November 12, 2019*
9:00 pm, SECN
Murray StateW 82–63 2–0
 26  Bowden  9  Fulkerson  14  Turner Thompson–Boling Arena (16,912)
Knoxville, TN
November 16, 2019*
5:00 pm, ESPN+
vs. No. 20 Washington
James Naismith Classic
W 75–62 3–0
 18  Bowden  7  Turner  8  Turner Scotiabank Arena (6,802)
Toronto, ON
November 20, 2019*
7:00 pm, SECN+
No. 20 Alabama State
Emerald Coast Classic campus game
W 76–41 4–0
 16  Bowden  13  James  6  Turner Thompson–Boling Arena (18,176)
Knoxville, TN
November 25, 2019*
7:00 pm, SECN
No. 17 Chattanooga
Emerald Coast Classic campus game
W 58–46 5–0
 17  Turner  12  Bowden  12  Turner Thompson–Boling Arena (18,556)
Knoxville, TN
November 29, 2019*
7:00 pm, CBSSN
No. 17 vs. Florida State
Emerald Coast Classic semifinal
L 57–60 5–1
 20  Turner  10  Pons  2  Turner The Arena at NFSC (2,500)
Niceville, FL
November 30, 2019*
4:00 pm
No. 17 vs. No. 20 VCU
Emerald Coast Classic
W 72–69 6–1
 17  Fulkerson  7  Tied  7  Turner The Arena at NFSC (2,500)
Niceville, FL
December 4, 2019*
7:00 pm, SECN+
No. 21 Florida A&MW 72–43 7–1
 15  Fulkerson  13  Nkamhoua  6  Turner Thompson–Boling Arena (17,187)
Knoxville, TN
December 14, 2019*
3:00 pm, ESPN
No. 19 No. 13 Memphis
American/SEC Alliance
L 47–51 7–2
 14  James  7  Fulkerson  3  Tied Thompson–Boling Arena (21,868)
Knoxville, TN
December 18, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 21 at CincinnatiL 66–78 7–3
 14  Fulkerson  4  Tied  6  Bowden Fifth Third Arena (12,012)
Cincinnati, OH
December 21, 2019*
1:00 pm, SECN
No. 21 Jacksonville StateW 75–53 8–3
 19  Bowden  9  Pons  11  Turner Thompson–Boling Arena (18,247)
Knoxville, TN
December 28, 2019*
1:30 p.m., CBS
WisconsinL 48–68 8–4
 9  Tied  10  Nkamhoua  5  James Thompson–Boling Arena (21,678)
Knoxville, TN
January 4, 2020
12:00 pm, ESPNU
LSUL 64–78 8–5
(0–1)
 18  Vescovi  6  Vescovi  6  Bowden Thompson–Boling Arena (18,653)
Knoxville, TN
January 7, 2020
7:00 pm, SECN
at MissouriW 69–59 9–5
(1–1)
 13  Bowden  7  James  4  James Mizzou Arena (8,663)
Columbia, MO
January 11, 2020
1:00 pm, SECN
South CarolinaW 56–55 10–5
(2–1)
 15  Fulkerson  10  Fulkerson  3  Tied Thompson–Boling Arena (19,603)
Knoxville, TN
January 15, 2020
7:00 pm, ESPNU
at GeorgiaL 63–80 10–6
(2–2)
 12  Bowden  8  Pons  3  Tied Stegeman Coliseum (10,313)
Athens, GA
January 18, 2020
6:00 pm, SECN
at VanderbiltW 66–45 11–6
(3–2)
 21  Bowden  8  Fulkerson  5  James Memorial Gymnasium (12,693)
Nashville, TN
January 21, 2020
9:00 pm, SECN
Ole MissW 73–48 12–6
(4–2)
 18  Fulkerson  10  Fulkerson  6  James Thompson–Boling Arena (17,031)
Knoxville, TN
January 25, 2020*
4:00 pm, ESPN
at No. 3 Kansas
Big 12/SEC Challenge
ESPN College GameDay
L 68–74 12–7
 24  Pons  12  Fulkerson  4  James Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
January 28, 2020
6:30 pm, SECN
Texas A&ML 58–63 12–8
(4–3)
 15  Fulkerson  7  Fulkerson  6  Vescovi Thompson–Boling Arena (17,722)
Knoxville, TN
February 1, 2020
2:00 pm, ESPNU
at Mississippi StateL 73–86 12–9
(4–4)
 16  Tied  5  Fulkerson  5  Tied Humphrey Coliseum (8,113)
Starkville, MS
February 4, 2020
7:00 pm, ESPNU
at AlabamaW 69–68 13–9
(5–4)
 22  Fulkerson  14  Pons  5  Vescovi Coleman Coliseum (9,651)
Tuscaloosa, AL
February 8, 2020
1:00 pm, CBS
No. 15 Kentucky
Rivalry
L 64–77 13–10
(5–5)
 18  Vescovi  9  Bowden  3  Tied Thompson–Boling Arena (21,232)
Knoxville, TN
February 11, 2020
7:00 pm, SECN
ArkansasW 82–61 14–10
(6–5)
 20  Vescovi  8  Fulkerson  8  Vescovi Thompson–Boling Arena (17,222)
Knoxville, TN
February 15, 2020
6:00 pm, SECN
at South CarolinaL 61–63 14–11
(6–6)
 25  Fulkerson  9  Fulkerson  5  Tied Colonial Life Arena (15,085)
Columbia, SC
February 18, 2020
6:30 pm, SECN
VanderbiltW 65–61 15–11
(7–6)
 17  Tied  7  Fulkerson  7  Vescovi Thompson–Boling Arena (18,562)
Knoxville, TN
February 22, 2020
12:00 pm, CBS
at No. 13 AuburnL 66–73 15–12
(7–7)
 28  Bowden  10  Pons  6  Bowden Auburn Arena (9,121)
Auburn, AL
February 26, 2020
8:30 pm, SECN
at ArkansasL 69–86 15–13
(7–8)
 19  Bowden  9  Pons  3  James Bud Walton Arena (14,101)
Tuscalooa, AL
February 29, 2020
2:00 pm, ESPN2
FloridaW 63–58 16–13
(8–8)
 22  Fulkerson  8  James  6  James Thompson–Boling Arena (19,743)
Knoxville, TN
March 3, 2020
9:00 pm, ESPN
at No. 6 Kentucky
Rivalry
W 81–73 17–13
(9–8)
 27  Fulkerson  7  James  5  James Rupp Arena (20,413)
Lexington, KY
March 7, 2020
12:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 17 AuburnL 63–85 17–14
(9–9)
 19  Fulkerson  7  Fulkerson  4  Bowden Thompson–Boling Arena (21,156)
Knoxville, TN
SEC Tournament
March 12, 2020
1:00 pm, SECN
(8)vs. (9) Alabama
Second round
Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[5]Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

Ranking

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
APRVRV2017211921RVNot released
Coaches2525*17162017-T21RV

*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings

References