University of Tennessee Athletics
Richardson From Start To Finish
March 06, 2015 | Men's Basketball
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Josh Richardson has been a contributor for Tennessee basketball from day one. As he approaches his final day at Thompson-Boling Arena, his role has changed from contributor to unquestioned team leader.
Richardson began his career with the Volunteers by starting nine games as a freshman, but was in the lineup primarily for his defensive skills on the perimeter. As a sophomore, Richardson earned a spot in the starting lineup on opening day and has never relinquished it.
He has evolved from defender to scorer on the wing from a forward spot, to now the floor general as UT's point guard for this senior season. It's an evolution the Tennessee fans have witnessed first hand and supported the Edmond, Oklahoma native all along the way.
"I'm excited, but I have mixed feelings with this being my last time playing here," Richardson said of Saturday's senior day meeting with South Carolina. "I want to come out and make the most of it."
Those fans have been a huge motivator along the way, from home games in Thompson-Boling to the crowd that traveled to see the Vols' comeback win over Iowa in the NCAA opening round last season, a game Richardson called his favorite memory at Tennessee.
"It's been a big part of my experience," he said of the fan support. "They've been great all four years in never giving up on us. Tennessee has one of the greatest fans bases in the country."
Richardson's role change this year has been two-fold. He has had to be the team leader as the leading returning scorer and featured offensive option after being surrounded by scorers in years past. He has also had to move from a position on the wing to run the point for the Volunteers.
Richardson has seen both transitions mold into one role for him, as the primary voice on the court.
"I knew how big of a challenge it was and I was ready for that role," he said. "I've been trying to run the team more than focusing on getting assists, I've just tried to keep everybody focused all game."
Building the confidence of his teammates has helped keep his mind focused as well.
"It's definitely been different because I've never been in that role in college," Richardson said. "I've tried to make guys feel as comfortable as possible on an doff the court. It's been important to keep their confidence up with so many younger guys. If they miss a shot or two, they might hang their head, but it's been my job to keep their confidence up and keep us on the right path."
He has also impressed the head coach that took over for his senior year.
"Josh has been fantastic since the first day I took the job," Donnie Tyndall said. "I remember my first meeting with him like it was a day ago. He's an upbeat kid. He has a great smile. He's a worker. He has been coachable. He embraced the position as a senior that he has never really played before and welcomed it with open arms. A reason our team has had the success we have had is in large part because of him accepting that role and embracing that role."
Richardson's level of "buy-in" was critical to getting the rest of the Volunteers on board.
"I think it's just the kind of guy I am," Richardson said. "If a coach has a certain thing that he wants to do with the team, then I'm going to buy into it and make sure that everyone else buys into it as well. I've just tried to make everybody get ready for it every day."
Tyndall has another reason for loving Richardson, and it's much more than just basketball.
"I have enjoyed coaching him, his family is great," Tyndall said. "They are at every game and so supportive. He is my daughter Gracie's favorite player too, so that is pretty important to me."
Just as important to Richardson is the final feeling he'll have after the final buzzer sounds on Saturday.
"I have no clue what to expect," he said. "But I hope it's a winning feeling."
