Tennessee basketball’s Cade Phillips underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last week leaving an open spot in the Vols’ starting lineup. The Vols are inserting freshman power forward DeWayne Brown to the starting lineup on Tuesday night against Louisville, head coach Rick Barnes shared on Monday.
Why are the Vols turning to the freshman Brown in place of Phillips?
“He’s earned it. Just that’s it,” Barnes said. “He simply, with his consistency, he earned it. And we’re going to base everything we do based on everyday practice habits and consistency because that’s what we haven’t had. Everybody has shown glimpses of this or that. We want to see consistency and, those are the guys.”
Brown has played in eight games this season and is averaging 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting an efficient 66.7% shooting from the field. The 6-foot-8 power forward did not place in games against Houston and Kansas but has seen his role expanded over the last two games.
The Hoover, Alabama native recorded four points, five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes against Syracuse. Brown followed it up five points and three rebounds in nine minutes against Illinois.
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It’s a slight surprise that Barnes is giving Brown the nod over Jaylen Carey. The Vanderbilt transfer is averaging 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds this season but has played particularly well over the last four games including a double-double against Kansas.
“But I look at our front line, to be honest with you, whether it’s JP or Jaylen or Fe, those guys are all starters to me,” Barnes said. “But the fact is, the guy that’s going start is going to be the most consistent guys.”
It’s already the fifth starting lineup combination that Tennessee has used this season in 11 games. Carey started in the season-opener while both Amaree Abram and Ethan Burg started games while Bishop Boswell was sidelined due to injury.
Tennessee enters Tuesday night’s matchup against Louisville having lost three straight games. The Vols lost to Kansas in Las Vegas, at Syracuse and against Illinois in Nashville. Tennessee is looking to get back on the right track before playing two buy games before the start of SEC play.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Louisville is 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night. ESPN is broadcasting the game.
