Tennessee’s local media day and open practice on Tuesday offered another look at a Vols roster that is starting to take shape with exhibitions against Xavier and Duke approaching and the regular season opener against Wofford set for Nov. 3.
The clearest takeaway was the continued rise of Terrence Hill Jr. After looking terrific in Saturday’s open scrimmage, he backed it up again on Tuesday.
He was sharp from long range, moved the ball well and looked more comfortable running the point with every rep. The way he’s shooting and facilitating gives Tennessee a real chance to unlock more of the offense around him.
That includes Juke Harris, who also kept the ball rolling from deep. Harris can create his own shot, but much of his work in the limited shot clock drill came without the ball in his hands.
When he gets space, his catch-and-shoot looks are falling at a very high rate. The next step is the small stuff Barnes has been pressing him on.
Tyler Lundblade was another notable part of the practice. He did more than he had at the most recent open session a couple of weeks ago.
He began with the team before moving to the other side of the court for a workout once practice intensified. There’s nothing in the way he moves that would tip you off to a recent back procedure, though the real test is still contact.
Even so, the shot looks smooth, and it was dropping consistently while he was being watched.
Barnes also laid out what he wants from young players: defense, rebounding and ball security. Manny Green is already checking off the first two boxes. His energy on the defensive end and on the glass stands out immediately, and Tuesday’s practice was a little cleaner for him in the turnover department than the last one.
Marquis Clark fits that same young-player template, too. The freshman point guard may have a hard time breaking into the rotation ahead of Hill and Troy Henderson, but Barnes had strong praise for him during his press conference. At the very least, he looks like a useful two-way option down the road.
In the frontcourt, DeWayne Brown remains the most reliable presence. He’s been the steadiest big man so far, and the more interesting question is how Tennessee sorts out the rest of the minutes.
Miles Rubin, Christian Fermin and Braedan Lue are all still jockeying for position, and none has clearly pulled away. That matters if Jalen Washington stays ineligible.
In Other News...
Dejuan Lane Just Added Edge To Tennessees Transfer Bet
Dejuan Lane arrived in Knoxville with something to prove, and Tennessee has already given him a clearer lane to do it. A former four-star prospect, Lane came over from Penn State after two seasons that included limited starts, then found a familiar coaching connection waiting for him on Rocky Top. Since the move, he has stepped into a more meaningful role in the secondary, giving the Vols another transfer who fits both the need and the story line.
Lane recently added a little more edge to that transition with a social media post about being overlooked, though he did not say whether he was aiming that message at Penn State or someone else. For Tennessee, the intrigue is less about where the shot landed and more about what it says about the player taking it, because the Vols are betting on transfers who arrive with something to prove as much as they do with talent. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Quarterback Battle Just Got Tougher For Josh Heupel
The quarterback conversation around Tennessee is only getting more complicated, and Josh Heupel still has a decision hanging over him after both quarterbacks saw the field against Auburn. Former Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano added perspective this week, pointing out just how hard it is to play the position in the SEC while offering support for both players in the mix.
Faizon Brandon remains in the equation despite dealing with an injury, while George MacIntyre made the most of his limited snaps and gave the staff something to think about. Heupel has acknowledged the competition, but he has not made a call yet, leaving Tennessee with a real camp-style battle in the middle of the season and a little less clarity than it would like at the game's most important position. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Made A Real Impression On A Priority Tight End Target
Lee Steeles trip to Tennessee for the Auburn game gave the Volunteers another chance to show why they remain a major player for one of their priority tight end targets. The four-star recruit came away talking positively about the coaching staff, the atmosphere, and the way the program is developing players, all the kinds of details that matter when a prospect is weighing more than just wins and losses.
Steele said Tennessee is among the schools near the top of his list, which is exactly the kind of position the Vols want to be in as they continue building momentum on the recruiting trail. He is still sorting through other offers, though, so Tennessee has clearly made an impression without closing the deal just yet. [Read more 🡒]