Heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Kentucky Wildcats in Rupp Arena, the Volunteers are stuck in a difficult situation with regard to who should be running the team on the floor.
Should the Vols stick with junior Trae Golden, opt for Josh Richardson, who has some experience at the point, or try freshman Armani Moore?
I’ve said it for two seasons, and it is becoming apparent again this year: Trae Golden isn’t a true point guard. Maybe Tennessee desperately wants to have a player like Erick Green being the floor general, but Golden just hasn’t panned out as that sort of threat.
He hasn’t made more than three field goals or shot better than 33 percent from the field in five games.
I will give Golden a break, though. His shoulder injury has limited his ability to shoot from outside, but he has been unable to create much off the dribble and score in the paint in lieu of hitting 15-feet and out.
Yes, if you move him to the wing, all you are asking him to do is shoot and score. If he isn’t scoring then why move him?
Golden hasn’t been able to create inside shots off the dribble, so help him out. Give him backdoor cuts and set jumpers. He’ll still handle the ball and, if you really need him to, take over the game as a ball handler.
Moore is the clear choice, in my opinion. Richardson played minor minutes at point guard last season, but he has been too valuable as of late as a scorer. Tennessee needs to keep giving him the ball in motion, post-up looks at the elbow, and set jumpers.
After the Oakland game on Nov. 26, Moore didn’t play more than five minutes until his 21 minutes of action this past weekend at Alabama.
The freshman seemed to be overwhelmed at times early in the year, but it appears after his performance against the Crimson Tide the time sitting and observing has paid off.
At the moment Moore isn’t much of an improvement in the scoring department over Golden — his season high is seven points — but I believe it would benefit both of them to make the switch.
Moore is a point guard. That is what he was recruited for. The Vols need to find a spark offensively to keep their hopes of making a move in conference — an 0-3 start puts Tennessee is a big hole — and impress the NCAA Committee come the end of the year.
Moore won’t be the guy who will score 20 a night, but he could be the guy that gets Jarnell Stokes to improve his offensive play and helps Golden and Skylar McBee heat back up.
Tennessee needs offensive production, and Moore can be the catalyst that elevates the guys around him.
— Austin Bornheim is a senior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached at [email protected].
