No. 20 Tennessee coach Rick Barnes will start two freshmen Tuesday night against No. 11 Louisville.
That decision is a move he did not anticipate earlier in the season. With key injury to starting Forward Cade Phillips, Barnes is now leaning more heavily on younger players.
Phillips will miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery.
“If you would’ve told me when the season started, we’re going to be counting on as many young players as we did,” Barnes said, “But tomorrow night, we’re going to start two freshmen, which I would have not thought that really, but that’s where we’ve gotten to. And we’ll continue to see where we go with this team.”
Freshman DeWayne Brown is the other first-year player who will start against the Cardinals.
It will be his first career start. One that replaces Phillips in the lineup.
Barnes said Brown earned the opportunity with his practice approach.
“He’s earned it. Just that’s it. He simply with his consistency, he earned it. And we’re going to base everything we do based on everyday practice habits and consistency.”
In Brown’s eight games this season he has played double-digit minutes in all but one game this season. He shooting 66% from the field and averages 3 rebounds per game.
Brown did not play against Houston or Kansas.
Barnes also framed the decision within a broader emphasis on attention to detail and translating practice habits into game execution. He said Tennessee pinpointed areas it needs to improve, including ball security, and defensive coverage.
The Cardinals are 9-1 on the season. According to NET Rankings, they’re 2-0 in Quad 1 wins.
The teams clash Tuesday night inside Food City Center.
