Tennessee basketball is through the first portion of summer workouts as a completely new look Volunteer team learns Rick Barnes’ style and system while trying to mesh together. One of the natural questions surrounding Barnes’ 12th Tennessee team is who will emerge as the leaders?
DeWayne Brown and Troy Henderson are the only returning scholarship players from last season’s team and the duo combined to average just 21 minutes per game during their freshman seasons. Henderson is sidelined during summer practices after undergoing shoulder surgery in April, leaving Brown as the only key returner going through summer workouts.
Meeting with the media this week, Barnes offered some insight on which players emerged as leaders during June starting with Brown.
“He’s added a lot to his game,” Barnes said of Brown. “He’s continuing to add his outside game to it. But physically he’s in great shape and he’s really been a terrific leader so far with these guys and he’ll do that. But he’s going to have a great year just because of his work ethic.”
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Another player Barnes highlighted was VCU transfer guard Terrence Hill Jr. One of the prized pieces of Tennessee’s portal haul, Hill averaged 15 points per game while leading the Rams to an upset win over North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.
“Terrence is a smart player,” Barnes said. “And I think he would tell you this is all new to him, but he’s picked it up pretty quickly. And I would say he and DeWayne have been probably the two biggest vocal leaders along with Campbell Duncan. And with Campbell obviously know what’s going on.
“But Terrence has done a lot, not just picking up the system, what we want to do, but talking to his teammates and encouraging them and trying to get them to understand where we’re trying to get to.”
Hill is in line to be Tennessee’s starting point guard next season. Barnes is notoriously hard on his point guards. It’s both a good sign that Hill is picking things up quickly and that he’s a vocal leader. Tennessee wants leadership from the point guard spot and that’s what Hill is bringing so far.
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Campbell Duncan is a walk on who is entering his third year in the Tennessee program. He understands Barnes’ standards and expectations and can help illustrate that to the newcomers.
The last player Barnes mentioned as a leader is Belmont transfer Tyler Lundblade. The sixth-year senior did not practice last week while dealing with a back injury but has an abundance of college basketball experience and a strong work ethic.
“He goes about it in such a professional way,” Barnes said. “He’ll be fine. But once we get him out there, he’ll pick it up quick because he’s got a great basketball IQ, and he’s understanding what we’re trying to do.”
Tennessee players have this week off around the Fourth of July before returning to Knoxville for the second session of summer school and practices..
