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Tennessee Basketball: Updated depth chart outlook for 2022-23 season

By Matt Melton

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Zakai Zeigler #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers dribbles the ball in the first half against the Longwood Lancers during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Zakai Zeigler #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers dribbles the ball in the first half against the Longwood Lancers during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Likely one of the SEC’s top teams this upcoming season, Tennessee Basketball you could certainly say has had a phenomenal month of May. Adding multiple players, as well as one key name announcing his return to Knoxville, what is Tennessee’s updated depth chart outlook for the 2022-23 season?

Updated Tennessee Basketball depth chart outlook for 2022-23 season

Point Guard

  • Starter: Zakai Zeigler
  • Backup: BJ Edwards

With star freshman Kennedy Chandler off to the NBA, the starting point guard role in Knoxville will likely go to Zeigler who averaged 8.8 PPG off the bench a year ago to earn SEC All-Freshman honors. The primary backup to Zeigler will be Edwards, an incoming four-star freshman from Knoxville, TN.

Shooting Guard

  • Starter: Santiago Vescovi
  • Backup: Tyreke Key, Jahmai Mashack 

Assuming Vescovi returns to Tennessee for the 2022-23 season, the senior will likely play a similar role to a year ago, one which saw him average a career-high 13.3 PPG on 40.3% shooting from three. Indiana State transfer Tyreke Key could very-easily start games for the Volunteers as well, while Mashack could potentially see a larger role this season after averaging 4.6 MPG as a freshman.

Small Forward

  • Starter: Julian Phillips
  • Backup: Josiah-Jordan James, DJ Jefferson

This is where you could honestly say that Tennessee Basketball’s 2022-23 starting lineup gets interesting, as the Volunteers could start either Phillips or James at the three. Both will likely start a significant number of games for Tennessee in 2022-23 regardless, while Jefferson will help provide depth on the wing.

Power Forward

  • Starter: Olivier Nkamhoua 
  • Backup: Julian Phillips

Phillips could possibly end up seeing time at the power forward position as well, but likely not in a starting role when the Volunteers are fully healthy. That starting spot will likely go to Nkamhoua who enjoyed a breakout season a year ago, averaging 8.6 PPG and 5.6 RPG while starting in 22-of-22 games last season before suffering an injury.

Center

  • Starter: Uros Plavsic 
  • Backup: Jonas Aidoo

Tyreke Key will be impact scorer for Tennessee. dark. Next

Plavsic started in 21-of-35 games for the Volunteers a year ago, and could see a similar number, if not more, this upcoming season. Aidoo on the other hand could be a name to watch for entering his sophomore season, with a potential breakout campaign possible after averaging only 7.8 MPG a year ago.

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