Santiago Vescovi solidifies villain status by returning to Tennessee

The Tennessee men’s basketball program does not have any worthwhile banners hanging from the rafters at Thompson-Boling Arena, but they do have a lengthy roster of villains that have worn their puke-in-a-pumpkin orange jerseys over the years. Santiago Vescovi is joining that list of all-time worsts.

The Uruguayan guard announced Tuesday evening he will return for a fifth season in Knoxville. A two-time All-SEC selection, Santiago Vescovi is a 38% career three-point shooter that averages 11.6 points and 3.2 assists per game.

His return to Tennessee will give the Vols a veteran presence in 2023-24 that Rick Barnes will not use to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. It also will give the shooting guard a unique distinction in the border rivalry.

Santiago Vescovi is 5-4 in nine career games against the Wildcats. This upcoming season he will have two more opportunities to play Kentucky. Vescovi can surpass Admiral Schofield’s high-watermark of 10 appearances in the Kentucky-Tennessee rivalry. Schofield was 4-6 against the Cats between 2016-2019.

Where Santiago Vescovi Ranks Among Tennessee Villains

Dating back to the Ernie and Bernie Show in the 70s, Tennessee has trotted out a myriad of villains over the years. Ron Slay ushered in a new era with an obnoxious style, highlighted his signature headband. Wayne Chism and Tyler Smith carried that mantle with the headband during the Bruce Pearl era.

The Rick Barnes bad guys are defined by a style of play. They either flop or foul at a menacing rate. Uros Plavscic is a better boxer than he is a basketball player. His predecessor in the post, Grant Williams, spent more time flopping to the floor than on his feet. Vescovi does not have that one thing that makes him so hate-able. However, he has been a primary piece to one of Tennessee’s most successful runs against Kentucky, albeit without any significant NCAA Tournament success.

On a sliding scale from Slay to Fulky, where does Santiago Vescovi rank among the worst of the worst Tennessee Volunteers you’ve tolerated throughout the years?