A Good Day For Tennessee Basketball. A Bad One For Vols Football.

Two departures tell very different stories.

Here’s what can be said about the departures of point guard Jordan Bone from Tennessee’s basketball team and linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. from the football team.

The Vols are going to be a better basketball team without Bone.

They are going to be a worse football team without Kirkland.

This is not a knock against the talent of Bone, whose reputation is improving mightily. While he hasn’t been projected to be drafted to the NBA, his stock is rising.

Khaleel Abdullah of Valley of the Suns, Fansided’s network, projects the Suns might select Bone with their second round pick.

During the NBA combine he led all prospects with a 42.5 inch vertical draft and 3.03 second 3/4 court sprint.

Did Bone establish himself as the best athlete in the 2019 NBA Draft?

It’s a safe bet Bone can make a nice paycheck playing basketball professionally.

But his departure leaves Tennessee with a scholarship to recruit a much needed presence in the paint. Kerry Blackshear is a target, but the smart money would say he goes through the NBA Draft unselected, then transfers from Virginia Tech to Kentucky.

The Vols will be okay next year at the point if recruit Josiah Jordan James lives…