University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Basketball Team Opens Preseason Practice
September 29, 2017 | Men's Basketball
Under the direction of third-year head coach Rick Barnes, who enters the 2017-18 campaign ranked ninth for career wins among active Division I coaches, the Tennessee basketball team conducted its first official practice of the season Friday at Pratt Pavilion.
Last month, the Volunteers completed a 10-day, three-game exhibition tour of Spain and France with an unblemished 3-0 record. The trip gave the team an early opportunity to build chemistry heading into the preseason.
Friday's practice included a heavy dose of live five-on-five action. While several players missed time during the summer rehabbing from injuries or surgical procedures, on Friday only redshirt freshmen Jalen Johnson (left leg) and John Fulkerson (shoulder) and junior Brad Woodson (concussion) were limited to non-contact work.
This year's squad is the tallest and most experienced of Barnes' Tennessee tenure. In terms of career games played, the gray beard of the group is senior graduate transfer James Daniel III, who spent four years at Howard and was the top scorer in Division I as a junior in 2015-16 (27.1 ppg). In 90 career games, he has failed to score in double figures only six times. Daniel is the lone senior on Tennessee's roster.
Four returning juniors—forwards Kyle Alexander and Admiral Schofield and in-state guards Lucas Campbell and Woodson—are entering their third year in the program. Alexander has blocked 64 shots in 64 games. He started 23 contests for the Vols last season. The versatile Schofield, who looks to be a leader for the Big Orange, has averaged 7.9 points and 4.2 rebounds in 60 career games.
Campbell and Woodson have seen limited action during their first two seasons on Rocky Top but add valuable depth along the perimeter. Junior-college transfer guard Chris Darrington, who earned first-team NJCAA All-America honors last season at Vincennes (Ind.) University, is expected to be a significant contributor after averaging 20.7 points and 5.1 assists last year.
After being the highest-scoring freshman class in program history a year ago (1,140 points), the Vols have a stable of experienced rising sophomores returning to the hardwood. Sophomore Grant Williams paves the way for the group after averaging 12.6 points and 5.9 rebounds as well as totaling 61 blocks in 32 games and earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors.
Sophomore guards Jordan Bone and Jordan Bowden--both Tennessee natives--have a combined 45 starts between them, with 17 and 28, respectively. Redshirt sophomore Lamonte Turner had a team-high 86 assists and averaged 8.2 points in 32 appearances last season.
The Vols return a trio of redshirt freshmen in Fulkerson, Johnson and guard Jacob Fleschman. Fulkerson was the only one to see action last year, appearing in 10 games before suffering a season-ending elbow injury.
The roster is rounded out by three promising true freshmen in forwards Zach Kent and Derrick Walker along with wing Yves Pons.
Season tickets and the popular "Vol Pass" are available now by visiting AllVols.com or calling 1-800-332-8657. The Vol Pass is the most affordable and flexible season-ticket option for UT hoops. For just $99, pass holders receive the opportunity to select their seat location to every home game from the best available seating options.
Single-game tickets go on sale to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
