Tennessee basketball landed its fifth commit in the transfer portal on Friday afternoon when VCU combo guard Terrence Hill Jr. committed to the Vols over Kansas. He announced his decision shortly after wrapping up a visit with Tennessee.
Hill is coming off a sophomore season where he averaged 15 points, 2.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Rams.
What is Tennessee getting in Hill and how will they use him? Taking a look here.
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What Are Hill’s Strengths?
Hill is a high-level scorer and one of the most efficient offensive players in the country. He shot 46% from the field last season and made 81 three-pointers at a 37% clip. His 57.6 estimated field goal percentage ranked 218th nationally last season and his 62.4 true shooting percentage ranked 117th nationally.
The 6-foot-3 guard was efficient in nearly every offensive metric. By points per possession, Hill ranked in the 97.4 percentile in rim attack, 89.8 percentile in catch and shoot three-pointers and even 99.3% in mid range jumpers though he did not utilize it much last season at VCU.
Hill did not have great assist numbers last season but still ranked in the 90.9 percentile in attack and kick and in the 88.1% as a pick and roll passer.
The Portland native is simply a really good offensive player. His 128.3 offensive rating ranked 74th nationally a season ago.
How Will Tennessee Use Hill?
Tennessee sold Hill on playing with the ball in his hands and creating offense while also being able to play some off the ball.
Hill is fully capable of playing off the ball but barring a surprise transfer portal entry will likely come in and be Tennessee’s starting point guard next season. He will play with the ball in his hands as a potential shot creator both in isolation and pick and roll situations.
But the Vols also have the option to play Dai Dai Ames at point guard and allow Hill to run off pin down screens off the ball.
Questions About Hill’s Game
There’s very few questions about Hill’s game on the offensive end of the court. Really the only question is how Hill can perform in a more full-time point guard role. Can he facilitate and post higher assist numbers then he has to this point in his career?
Any concerns are on the defensive end of the court where Hill has not been very good to this point in his career. How much better will he get playing at Tennessee? Especially as someone who could have to guard opposing point guards next season.
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What Does Hill’s Commitment Mean For Tennessee Basketball?
This is a massive piece to the puzzle for Tennessee. While Hill is a combo guard, this gives Tennessee the point guard piece that they have been missing to this point in the portal cycle.
Tennessee had already added a lot of really intriguing secondary pieces to this point in the portal cycle. Hill gives them a certified go-to guy as they continue their pursuit of Wake Forest guard Juke Harris.
The Vols now have five incoming transfers and four incoming freshmen on next season’s team. At the time of publication, Tennessee has three scholarships to work with as it fills out the rest of its roster. If Nate Ament declares for the NBA Draft then they would have two.
Harris remains the top target while Tennessee is also looking to add one more front court body to bring rim protection and rebounding.
One Response
with hill in the fold Tennessee can say. Harris, Join us and we will get a preseason rank at or near Nbr 1. That sounds compelling to me.: