If you’ve spent the offseason wondering exactly what Rick Barnes’ almost completely rebuilt Tennessee basketball team is going to look like, here’s your first chance to find out.
And you won’t need a ticket (our nifty image above notwithstanding 😉).
Tennessee will open Food City Center on Saturday, Oct. 3, for a free public intrasquad scrimmage, giving Vol fans their first extended look at a roster featuring 13 newcomers. Gates C and D open at 11 a.m., with the scrimmage beginning at 11:30.
Yes, they’re playing each other.
We’re still watching everything.
Let’s start at point guard. VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr. averaged 15 points last season and has spent the preseason learning what it means to run a Rick Barnes team. Barnes has pushed Hill to play faster, use his voice and embrace the leadership responsibilities that come with the position.
Saturday gives us our first chance to see how that’s translating to the floor.
Then there’s the pace. Barnes has emphasized playing faster throughout preseason work, including using a shortened shot clock during five-on-five periods to force quicker decisions. The drill itself isn’t unusual, but the emphasis is worth watching. Are the Vols pushing the ball? Attacking before defenses get set? Getting into offense quickly?
And then there’s this remarkable number: six Tennessee players led their previous teams in scoring last season.
Dai Dai Ames, Jalen Haralson, Juke Harris, Hill, Tyler Lundblade and Miles Rubin all arrive accustomed to being major offensive pieces. Harris averaged 21.4 points at Wake Forest, while Ames scored 16.9 per game at Cal and Haralson 16.2 at Notre Dame.
There is plenty of firepower here. The fascinating part will be seeing how Barnes fits it together.
Keep an eye on the frontcourt, too. DeWayne Brown II, Christian Fermin and Rubin give Tennessee size, rebounding and rim protection, and Saturday may offer our first clues about which combinations Barnes likes.
But forget the box score for a moment.
With 13 newcomers, watch who communicates defensively. Who runs the floor. Who responds when Barnes stops play. Who already looks comfortable playing Tennessee basketball.
Saturday won’t tell us everything.
It doesn’t have to.
Tennessee hosts Xavier in an exhibition Oct. 15 before visiting Duke for another exhibition Oct. 20. Saturday is simply our first peek behind the curtain.
Admission is free, although fans should know concessions will be closed and no public parking will be available on campus because Tennessee hosts Auburn in football later that afternoon.
Gates open at 11.
We’ll see you in the gym. 🍊🏀
– Vol Hoops Staff Writer